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Member Reviews

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

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I'm sorry but the book wasn't my taste 😕 I really hated her daughter kali and her grandmother, poor Adrienne couldn't catch a break. People should give this book a chance, not everyone has the same taste 🤷🏻‍♀️

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Adrinne returns home after her eccentric grandmother nearly burns down her cottage. it is a story of second chances. good story

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This was a beautiful read. The moments of humor and lightheartedness balanced with the deeper emotional moments make it an unforgettable read. Truly, it’s a story of growth, redemption, and finding where you belong.

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this is the book of that second chances, reacquainting with one’s past!
I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, and this is the first book. I’ve read by the author, and it will definitely not be last.

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This is a new to me author that I thoroughly loved. She really kept me turning the pages.
Even though I live in Florida I still enjoyed my visit to other places around here.
Wonderful characters that I enjoyed in getting to know and a beautiful story line that made my emotions a rollercoaster ride.
I simply couldn't put this book down. Wow!!
There were a few places that had too much descriptions in the paragraphs. In other words were long winded.
5 stars for a job well done. I highly recommend
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

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I read Sarah Pearsall’s “The Summer Knows” as a palate cleanser. Set in Florida, Adrienne Harris is a single mom in her early thirties who got pregnant when she was seventeen. She and her daughter, Kali, head back to Adrienne’s hometown, Harbor Point, after there’s a kitchen fire in her grandmother’s house.

Adrienne intends for the stay to be temporary based on things that happened in Harbor Point when she was a teenager. However, I would think most readers know there’s a chance the stay could become permanent, depending on what happens. Shortly after Adrienne’s arrival back in Harbor Point, she runs into Quinn Merrit who is Kali’s father. He and his brother, Lucas, moved into a house their father built next to Adrienne and her grandparents’ house.

This book got off to a rocky start for me. I didn’t start connecting with any of the characters until the author introduced the beginning of the backstory between Adrienne and the Merrit brothers. I thought the backstory parts of the book were stronger, at times, than the present day depictions.

This book is about relationships, though, and the way they were depicted seemed realistic to me. I especially liked a conversation Adrienne and Quinn had towards the end of the book about what happened the last summer they shared as teenagers.

Overall, I recommend this book. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.

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The Summer Knows is a beautifully atmospheric novel that lingers long after the final page. Sarah E. Pearsall captures the bittersweet ache of memory, loss, and fleeting moments of connection with lyrical prose and vivid emotional depth. The characters feel real and raw, and the story moves with a quiet intensity that sneaks up on you.

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What a gorgeous cover. The story is also beautiful. Pearsall has crafted a book around one woman and her self-discoveries. It's easy to move through and heavier at times than others. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

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This book was not very satisfying and lacked meaningful character development. It felt sad to just be sad and I rooted for no one.

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The Summer Knows by Sarah Pearsall is a beautifully written coming-of-age story that captures the essence of youthful summer love and the passage of time. Set against the backdrop of the 1980s and 90s, the novel follows Cat and Will, whose relationship blossoms during annual summer visits. The narrative structure, with each chapter dedicated to a specific summer, effectively illustrates their growth and the evolution of their bond.​
Pearsall's prose is evocative, bringing to life the sights, sounds, and emotions of each era. The characters are well-developed, and their experiences resonate with authenticity. The story delves into themes of love, self-discovery, and the complexities of human relationships.​
While the pacing is generally steady, there are moments where the story feels slightly drawn out. However, this minor issue doesn't detract significantly from the overall impact of the novel.​
In summary, The Summer Knows is a touching and nostalgic read that will appeal to fans of character-driven stories and those who appreciate a well-crafted tale of love and growth

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Story of a woman going home to face her past and make choices about her future. I really liked the book and debated between 3 or 4 stars. It kept my interest and I liked that the romance part was not a romance where there is a clear good and bad choice, it was more who fit for her and made her a better person. I liked how the character realized she wasn’t a great mom and made choices to change that but I think my one hang up about it was that the transition was almost too smooth.

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I enjoyed the plot of this story. I think it had an interesting core concept, and it reeled me in from Chapter 1. I think the writing style made it a bit hard at times to stay engaged. There were too many details and fluff that I thought were not necessarily needed for the story and made it feel like a distraction from the actual narrative. Besides that, the storyline wasn't bad, and I wanted to keep going to see how it would turn out in the end.

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In *The Summer Knows*, Sarah Pearsall tells a touching story about second chances and the essence of home in sunny Florida's panhandle. Adrienne Harris, a thirty-one-year-old single mom, is pulled back to her small town when her grandmother calls after a family crisis. Old memories, especially of Quinn Merrit, the boy she left behind, resurface.

Pearsall crafts relatable characters, capturing Adrienne's strength and scars as she navigates small-town gossip. When she meets Christopher Crane, a warm local fishmonger, there's a spark of hope. His offer to revive her grandfather’s fish market symbolizes her journey from broken dreams to something fulfilling.

The story comes alive with vivid details, making readers feel the salty air and hear the seagulls. While it explores familiar themes like small-town drama and rekindled dreams, it feels fresh and heartfelt. Perfect for fans of southern fiction with strong female leads and redemptive arcs, *The Summer Knows* is a lovely summer read that lingers like a warm breeze off the bay.

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Women’s fiction readers listen up. I just finished a book that will keep you turning pages until the very end. Check out The Summer Knows by Sarah E. pearsall.

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