Adrienne returns to the small town she swore never coming back when she received a call from an old friend telling her her grandmother needed help..
she will confront the past and truths in order to have so peace within herself
Love the way it was written, it gives Dawson’s creek vibes with teenage love..
Enigmatic, suspenseful and emotional, a bittersweet love story to read this summer

Thanks to the Author, Köehler Publisher and NetGalley for this arc

At the sudden loss of her job and discovering her grandmother can no longer care for herself, Adrienne and her teenage daughter return to her hometown that she ran away from 14 years ago. She finally confronts the ghosts of her past and works through her grief and loss from her teenage years, while learning to be loved by the people around her. I enjoyed the dual timeline of present-day and flashback of the main characters teen years and the setting of a seaside town with a fish market and restaurant. The food sounded so delicious that I was starving every time I sat down to read. The setting and the love triangle explored during the flashbacks, definitely gave Dawson's Creek vibes, which I adored.

While I liked the romance in the flashbacks, I felt the present-day romance was not well fleshed out. While it was expressed that the characters spent time together, we didn't get to see the details of their interactions, unless it was physical. I wanted to see more of their relationship in present day.

This is perfect for someone looking for an emotional, heartfelt summer read that dives into difficult circumstances and overcoming grief.
Thank you Köehler Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The imagery is beautiful and descriptive.

It was a bit of a shock to the system for me to read about a “Gran” who was mentally, emotionally, and financially abusive. My Gran was a lovely, incredibly kind human being, so I’d always resonated the name with love, so it was definitely an eye opener for me that (even though this is fictional) not all those who call a women in their life the same as I do may be as lucky.

I adored Adrienne, Quinn, & Lucas’ story. A beautiful tale of first loves, friendship, nature, healing ancestral trauma, grief, and the tragedies that can occur when you meddle with other people’s lives.

Despite the traumas and heartaches that occur in this book, from the food to the landscape to the friends, it’s deliciously hygge/cozy. And a testament that lovely moments can help ease the sting of the difficult ones.

The Summer Knows by Sarah E. Pearsall is an emotional, heartfelt read that truly gives you all the feels. It’s the kind of story that makes for a perfect beach companion—bittersweet, immersive, and ultimately hopeful.

At its core, this book is about rejection, grief, and the long, complicated path to finding your way back home—even when that journey is painful. Pearsall doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, including loss and parental abuse. These themes are woven deeply into the narrative, so I’d advise readers to approach with care if these are sensitive areas for you.

What I appreciated most was the dual timeline structure that explores the characters’ pasts. It gave real depth to their choices and relationships, and helped me understand their pain, flaws, and resilience. The emotional layers made it easy to empathize with them—you really feel like you’re walking beside them through it all.

My only gripe? The ending. Specifically, who Adrienne ends up with. While I understand the choice—this person is undeniably strong and supportive—they didn’t have as prominent a role throughout the story, so it caught me off guard. I was really rooting for that second-chance romance, and the final pairing didn’t feel as fully developed. That said, it’s a testament to Pearsall’s writing that I cared enough to feel conflicted about it.

If you're looking for a story that will move you, challenge you a bit emotionally, but still offer moments of grace and healing, The Summer Knows is worth the read.

I received an advance reader’s copy of this book from Köehler Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book took me forever to get into. The story felt choppy and did not flow well. Because of this it was hard to relate and empathize with the characters. I think this writing style is not for me. There were many background details that felt unnecessary and it could have used more description when explaining the friendships, especially with Christopher.

Thank you NetGalley and Koehler books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

It was a decent enough summer read but it didn’t excite me and the ending felt very anti climactic - it had much more promise than it delivered.
Good but not great.

A perfect summer read! The prose makes you feel that ocean breeze in your hair and on your skin.

The emotions were all over the place; things felt so real, and you just felt all of it —the reality of adulthood, the teenage dreams, and the whole bittersweet setup.

I was truly surprised to learn that it's Sarah E Pearsall's first book, because the writing is mesmerizing; and a little warning - it's relatively slow-paced, though I found it perfect for the whole melancholic mood.

Just in time for summer beach reads. Adrienne got pregnant as a teenager and was banished by her grandmother, now with her teenage daughter she’s come back as the same grandmother needs her help. I tried, but couldn’t warm up to this story or to the characters . Obviously others have highly rated it, so I hesitate to comment further.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy.

Adrienne received a phone call that her grandmother almost burned her house down. She hadn't been back since she left at 17, she is a single mother, and she left because of her grandmother. There was no one else, so she and her daughter went to see her grandmother. Her journey becomes quite the adventure, she faces the things that happened when she was young, and must figure out what she is going to do.
I found myself rooting for her, her daughter and her grandmother would be able to find a way to talk about all that happened, and might be able to heal the hurt that has been left with them for so long. I enjoyed this book, because Sarah E. Pearsall, writing brought me along, with all that they went through, and the feelings just came through her words. This is her debut novel and I look forward to reading the books she writes going forward.
I received an ARC from Köehler Books through NetGalley.

The Summer Knows" by Sarah E. Pearsall is a heartwarming story about second chances and finding your way home. Adrienne Harris, a single mom in her thirties, returns to her small hometown in Florida's panhandle after her grandmother's kitchen catches fire. As she has to face old memories and make new ones with her daughter Kali, she discovers Harbor Point isn’t such a bad place after all. The newfound romance of Christopher and Adrienne reminds the readers that anything is possible. A great summer beach read.

The Summer Knows was a bit lukewarm, in my opinion. It was a cute story about a girl who returns to her hometown after several years away and is confronted with people from her past. Being home brings back memories of summers in her youth and the boys she was friends with. It was pretty straightforward, small town romance. My issue is that it just really wasn't terribly memorable. None of the characters really stuck out and there was nothing terribly exciting that happened. Once I finished the book, it immediately started fading for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Summer Knows" by Sarah E. Pearsall is a heartwarming story about second chances and finding your way home. Adrienne Harris, a single mom in her thirties, returns to her small hometown in Florida's panhandle after her grandmother's kitchen catches fire. As she navigates old memories and reconnects with past loves, Adrienne gets a chance to rediscover herself and forge a new future.

A great summer read, Adrienne is a young single mother urged to care for her imperious aging grandmother in a gentrified Florida fishing town. The Summer Knows features relatable family drama, complex characters, interesting relationships, and a well drawn setting. Author Sarah Pearsall has woven a truly satisfying beach read.

Going back to her hometown after leaving when she was pregnant, Adrienne must confront the past and those in it. This was an ok read, not that exciting. If you like small town romances then yky might enjoy this one.
Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book, all opinions expressed are my own.

Adrienne never plans to go back to her small hometown, not after her grandmother kicked her out for getting pregnant as a teen. But then she gets the call - her Grandmother is asking for her - and she returns home with her teenage daughter, Kali, in tow. Upon returning, Adrienne is forced to confront the past, to learn the truths she couldn't see all those years ago, and learn, once and for all, the meaning of home.

2.5 ⭐️

I enjoyed the history that comes with the story and the timelines that were presented. I felt that the characters could have had deeper connections and was not as pulled in as I would have expected. It did evoke the emotional turmoil that Adrienne had to go through, and so much of the not knowing actually rang true to how some things we just never get to fully know or understand. The summers really hooked me though, I felt so connected to Adrienne and Quinn, I wish there was more Christopher in that timeline to fully understand the pull he had in her life. I can see why she gravitated to them, not just those two but to Lucas as well. With her home life being the way that it was it made sense that she was looking for an escape and I related to that in so many ways.

I'm sorry but the book wasn't really my style.... I'm a sucker for romance and this book ummm.... Yeah 😭 her daughter and grandma....

The Summer Knows offers a heartfelt return-to-hometown story with beautifully described settings and an emphasis on food, memory, and second chances. Adrienne's journey of healing is relatable, and the culinary backdrop adds some warmth to the story. However, the pacing felt uneven to me, and some characters—particularly supporting ones—lack depth. The romantic tension didn't fully land for me, and parts of the story feel predictable. Overall though if you are looking for an emotional, small-town fiction, this may be a comforting read, even if it doesn't break new ground.

The Summer Knows by Sarah E. Pearsall is a poignant examination of do-overs and the permanent allure of home. Thirty-one-year-old Adrienne Harris comes back to her Florida hometown because of a family emergency, encountering the small-town rumors and the reminders of a past she attempted to escape, particularly Quinn Merrit. Pearsall builds believable characters, and Adrienne's path is one of subtle strength as she works through past hurts and unexpected hope in the guise of local fishmonger Christopher Crane. His proposal to restore her grandfather's fish market becomes a symbol of her own potential for rebirth. The richly evocative setting and touching story make this a beautiful, cozy read, ideal for those who like tales of rediscovery and the reassuring comfort of familiar surroundings.

Sarah is a new author for me and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This story revolves around the past and the present, and it pulls you in, you find the happiness and the sadness. You will go back and forth very easily and find that you can't wait to see what happens in either part of time . The characters are well written for the most part and tug at your heart. I would suggest this book to my friends to read and have written a review on Goodreads as well with also a four star review. Thank you to NetGalley for having this book available.