Reviews

Amanda in the Summer by Brenda Whiteside

rellimreads's review

4.0

A stand alone novella featuring letters from generations of women in the same family named Amanda to their beloved friend and then “Aunt” Tilly.

Snapshots of history and insight into dear friendship between two women who are so different. Emotional read on so many levels.

CW (spoiler):

Spoiler

letters allude to an affair between Tilly and the oldest Amanda’s husband.

chrysfey's review against another edition

5.0

Brenda Whiteside brings all Amandas to life on the pages of this story. The first letter written by Amanda Third to Tilly felt like a real letter I could've received back in the day before email became so popular. The emotions put into all of the letters is brilliant! I've never read a story compiled of one-sided letters, and I'm not sure I could manage it with the same skill as Brenda did. There were times when I longed to read Tilly's replies, but the mystery behind her, as well as each letter addition from the Amandas, kept me thoroughly entertained.

I adore the tradition of naming every daughter Amanda, what it means to each generation of Amandas, and the story behind it. You may have tears in your eyes at the end, but the ending is marvelous!

Amanda in the Summer, a story of friendship, womanhood and motherhood, is full of every emotion imaginable. This story is by far my favorite short story read this year! I plan to read it every year, hopefully closer to summer. ;)

Thank you so much for this story, Brenda!