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.

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 🤷🏻‍♀️

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.