kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
A Summer to Remember by Erika Montgomery is a sparkling novel about healing, friendship and love.
Thirty-year-old Frankie Simon is still grieving the loss of her mom, Maeve, while continuing to work in their Hollywood memorabilia store. She and her mom were very close but an unexpected discovery raises questions about Maeve’s past. Following this revelation, she makes a spontaneous decision to go to a movie festival in Harpswich. While there, she will deliver her finding in person and hopefully be able to uncover the truth about her father’s identity. Fate is smiling on Frankie when she meets retired doctor Russ Chandler. Staying with him and his wife, Louise, she finds out details about her mother and her stunning connections to Russ, Louise, and two Hollywood stars whose lives interested with Maeve’s.
Frankie is at a bit of a crossroads about her business when she travels to Harpswich. Putting off the decision for the time being, she concentrates on learning about her mom’s time in the small town. She is also hoping to figure out who her father is, but she knows that will not be easy. She and Russ immediately hit it off and she is grateful for the Chandler’s hospitality. Frankie is enjoying the festival but she is most interested in the stories the Russ and Louise share about Maeve and their memories of their friendship with Glory Cartwright and Mitch Beckett. And Frankie hopes to convince Glory and Mitch’s son Gabe to accept something that rightfully belongs to him.
Gabe wants nothing to do with anything from his mother. Her remains very bitter about not only his childhood but also her death. His attempts to avoid softening toward Frankie are quickly upended as they spend time together with the Chandlers. An unexpected attraction between them is apparent right from the start, but will Frankie decide to indulge in an out of character vacation fling?
Flashbacks reveal the unlikely but close friendship with Hollywood star Glory and Louise. Mitch grew up in Harpswich and he is old friends with Russ. Although Mitch is thrilled with their easygoing life out of the public eye, Glory longs for their return to their old life. As the years pass and Glory’s chance to resume her career fades away, she comes up with the idea of the movie festival to reconnect with the life she left behind.
A Summer to Remember by Erika Montgomery is a sparkling novel about healing, friendship and love.
Thirty-year-old Frankie Simon is still grieving the loss of her mom, Maeve, while continuing to work in their Hollywood memorabilia store. She and her mom were very close but an unexpected discovery raises questions about Maeve’s past. Following this revelation, she makes a spontaneous decision to go to a movie festival in Harpswich. While there, she will deliver her finding in person and hopefully be able to uncover the truth about her father’s identity. Fate is smiling on Frankie when she meets retired doctor Russ Chandler. Staying with him and his wife, Louise, she finds out details about her mother and her stunning connections to Russ, Louise, and two Hollywood stars whose lives interested with Maeve’s.
Frankie is at a bit of a crossroads about her business when she travels to Harpswich. Putting off the decision for the time being, she concentrates on learning about her mom’s time in the small town. She is also hoping to figure out who her father is, but she knows that will not be easy. She and Russ immediately hit it off and she is grateful for the Chandler’s hospitality. Frankie is enjoying the festival but she is most interested in the stories the Russ and Louise share about Maeve and their memories of their friendship with Glory Cartwright and Mitch Beckett. And Frankie hopes to convince Glory and Mitch’s son Gabe to accept something that rightfully belongs to him.
Gabe wants nothing to do with anything from his mother. Her remains very bitter about not only his childhood but also her death. His attempts to avoid softening toward Frankie are quickly upended as they spend time together with the Chandlers. An unexpected attraction between them is apparent right from the start, but will Frankie decide to indulge in an out of character vacation fling?
Flashbacks reveal the unlikely but close friendship with Hollywood star Glory and Louise. Mitch grew up in Harpswich and he is old friends with Russ. Although Mitch is thrilled with their easygoing life out of the public eye, Glory longs for their return to their old life. As the years pass and Glory’s chance to resume her career fades away, she comes up with the idea of the movie festival to reconnect with the life she left behind.
amymargaret's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
lingoreads's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Suicide
Minor: Cancer
bericson13's review
4.0
I loved this for the story that Frankie was living in. The idea of being surrounded by movie memorbilia and having to find out about her mother's life from the lives that she lived before has to be a complicated one, but this story was beautifully told and well constructed.
cassidypamela's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
cedifrango's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. At first, was not sure I would enjoy it. Really sweet and nostalgic story. Great perspectives from past and present characters. Really enjoyed movie quotes at beginning of chapters.
Quotes:
- "Your first movie is like your first kiss. You never forget it.Even if it's horrible. Especially if it's horrible."
- It's been four days. This isn't some movie.People don't connect this quickly in real life..
- Gabe was right: her compass in life, then and now, right or wrong, had always been her mother. And even without her, she was still following Maeve's true north.
- "Going away isn't always leaving, Gabe."
- Where memory and love can be collected for always. Something lasting, something real. And more perfect than any movie.
Quotes:
- "Your first movie is like your first kiss. You never forget it.Even if it's horrible. Especially if it's horrible."
- It's been four days. This isn't some movie.People don't connect this quickly in real life..
- Gabe was right: her compass in life, then and now, right or wrong, had always been her mother. And even without her, she was still following Maeve's true north.
- "Going away isn't always leaving, Gabe."
- Where memory and love can be collected for always. Something lasting, something real. And more perfect than any movie.
linyarai's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
logdog42's review
3.0
I was a bit taken aback by the way the story unfolded. I wasn't expecting mystery, or sadness; the romance was expected but abv it more than expected. I had a fine time with it, it was just a bit more than I thought I was signing up for.
cherihy808's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️. This was a quick and easy summer read. Didn’t love it but didn’t hate it either. It kept my interest for the most part although I think much of the story line was unrealistic. As far as the characters go, I didn’t mind any of them. Can’t really say I felt connected to any of them though.
Overall I wouldn’t suggest rushing out to get a copy but if you come across one and are looking for a quick summer read then I’d say give it a shot.