Scan barcode
A review by myestorie
One Summer in Savannah by Terah Shelton Harris
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Terah Shelton Harris came in with a bang with her debut novel. Sara is sexually assaulted at the age of eighteen and leaves home. From that assault she is blessed with a daughter, that she has hidden from her hometown. When her father falls ill, she is forced to go home and deal with the devils she left behind. Jacob is the twin brother of Sara’s attacker, and much like Sara, he has come back home to face his demons as well.
One Summer in Savannah was beautifully written and well narrated. There were so many layers to this story that needed to be unpacked. Sara was truly a mother willing to do anything to keep her daughter safe. Her unexpected need for Jacob was intriguing. On the surface it is hard to believe that she could have as little as a conversation with her abuser’s identical twin, but it was also refreshing to see her take a chance. Sara and Jacob became magnets to each other. The way he would go against the world for her, and Alana was beautiful and easy to see his feelings were real and true.
Each character brought something to the story that was needed. Hosea and his poetry as well as his relationship with Sylvia. Sylvia’s dedication to the family was also a breath of fresh air. She wanted the best for them all and always tried to help Sara see things from a different perspective.
Even though Daniel committed an egregious act, I appreciated that he was honest with his mother and the world, even if she didn’t want to believe him. Birdie was a piece of work, but I also understood that she wanted the best for her children as much as Sara wanted the best for Alana.
Forgiveness is a hard choice to make, but in some cases, the best results come from forgiving. Sara found forgiveness for the people her hurt her the most. I listened the audible version and ZuZu Robinson did a great job on the narration. The story does start out a little slow but by chapter three, I was invested in what was to come. I am definitely looking forward to Ms. Harris’ next novel.
One Summer in Savannah was beautifully written and well narrated. There were so many layers to this story that needed to be unpacked. Sara was truly a mother willing to do anything to keep her daughter safe. Her unexpected need for Jacob was intriguing. On the surface it is hard to believe that she could have as little as a conversation with her abuser’s identical twin, but it was also refreshing to see her take a chance. Sara and Jacob became magnets to each other. The way he would go against the world for her, and Alana was beautiful and easy to see his feelings were real and true.
Each character brought something to the story that was needed. Hosea and his poetry as well as his relationship with Sylvia. Sylvia’s dedication to the family was also a breath of fresh air. She wanted the best for them all and always tried to help Sara see things from a different perspective.
Even though Daniel committed an egregious act, I appreciated that he was honest with his mother and the world, even if she didn’t want to believe him. Birdie was a piece of work, but I also understood that she wanted the best for her children as much as Sara wanted the best for Alana.
Forgiveness is a hard choice to make, but in some cases, the best results come from forgiving. Sara found forgiveness for the people her hurt her the most. I listened the audible version and ZuZu Robinson did a great job on the narration. The story does start out a little slow but by chapter three, I was invested in what was to come. I am definitely looking forward to Ms. Harris’ next novel.