Books › That Summer
That Summer
First published 1996 · 232 pages
A bittersweet, sun-drenched exploration of the summer when childhood ends and the messy reality of growing up begins.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping into the sticky, humid heat of a pivotal July, where everything is changing faster than you want it to. The mood is deeply nostalgic and bittersweet, capturing that specific, aching transition between the safety of childhood and the complicated realities of the adult world. It moves at a steady, reflective pace, driven not by high-stakes action but by the quiet, internal shifts of a protagonist realizing her family is flawed. The prose is conversational and earnest, making it incredibly easy to slip into the narrator's headspace. It is a perfect fit for anyone who loves character-driven stories about messy family dynamics, the awkwardness of outgrowing your own life, and the quiet triumph of finally letting go of the past.
- Mood
- sun-drenched
- bittersweet
- transitional
- wistful
- Tone
- earnest
- nostalgic
- reflective
- wry
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- changing family dynamics · letting go of the past · the awkwardness of adolescence · disillusionment with adulthood
- The writing
- Accessible and conversational, grounded in the relatable, observant internal monologue of a teenager navigating shifting realities.
- The arc
- Moves from a stubborn clinging to childhood memories to a bittersweet acceptance of change and personal growth.
- Who it's for
- Readers who crave quiet, character-driven coming-of-age stories about the messy, transitional summers that change everything.
Content notes
- divorce
- family tension
- underage drinking
About the book
During the summer of her divorced father's remarriage and her sister's wedding, fifteen-year-old Haven comes into her own by letting go of the myths of the past.
Description from Open Library.
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