A – Z Book Reviews

I picked up Book of Summer expecting a breezy, feel-good read—the kind of book you settle into with a cup of coffee and a free afternoon. For the most part, that’s exactly what I got. It was engaging from the start, had a wonderful premise, and kept me turning pages much faster than I anticipated.

The real standout for me was Ruby. Every time the story shifted to her perspective, I found myself completely invested. She was vibrant, complex, and the kind of character who feels like a real person rather than someone created solely for the page. Her storyline carried a lot of the emotional weight of the novel, and I was always eager to learn what would happen next.

Interestingly, I found myself more drawn to the historical storyline than the present-day one. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the contemporary plot—I did—but there was something about the past that felt richer and more compelling. Whenever the narrative switched back to the present, I caught myself impatiently waiting to return to Ruby’s world. If you’ve ever flipped pages just a little faster to get back to your favorite character, you’ll understand exactly what I mean.

What surprised me most were some of the twists woven into the story. I had gone in hoping for a straightforward, light summer read, and while the novel certainly delivers plenty of those relaxing, enjoyable vibes, it also introduces a few unexpected complications along the way. Some of those twists added depth and complexity, though admittedly they weren’t quite what I was looking for when I opened the book. I was mentally packed for a beach vacation and suddenly found myself taking a slight emotional detour.

Overall, Book of Summer was an enjoyable read with memorable characters, an intriguing premise, and enough surprises to keep things interesting. While I connected more strongly with the historical storyline than the present-day narrative, Ruby alone made the journey worthwhile. If you’re looking for a summer novel that’s easy to get lost in but offers a little more substance than you might expect, this one is definitely worth adding to your reading list.