It's Still Summer Reading Time!

Title: The Summer We Came To Life
Author: Deborah Cloyed
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 320 (Paperback)
On Sale: May 31, 2011

Indiebound Link

Authors Website

Synopsis:

Every summer, Samantha Wheland joins her childhood friends—Isabel, Kendra and Mina—on a vacation, somewhere exotic and fabulous. Together with their mixed bag of parents, they've created a lifetime of memories. This year it's a beach house in Honduras. But for the first time, their clan is not complete. Mina lost her battle against cancer six months ago, and the friends she left behind are still struggling to find their way forward without her.

For Samantha, the vacation just feels wrong without Mina. Despite being surrounded by her friends—the closest thing she has to family—Mina's death has left Sam a little lost. Unsure what direction her life should take. Fearful that whatever decision she makes about her wealthy French boyfriend's surprise proposal, it'll be the wrong one.

The answers aren't in the journal Mina gave Sam before she died. Or in the messages Sam believes Mina is sending as guideposts. Before the trip ends, the bonds of friendship with her living friends, the older generation's stories of love and loss, and Sam's glimpse into a world far removed from the one in which she belongs will convince her to trust her heart. And follow it.

My Take:
Such an interesting book... I loved it, then I was disappointed in it, and then I loved it all over again. None of which I can really explain without giving up all of its secrets and ghosts and ruining the story for you. With a critical eye I can tell you that the language and writing is pleasantly wonderful, the story well crafted, the characters developed enough for you to care... and if you take this story all the way until the end you might find the meaning and lesson I did.

I long ago abandoned the stars & hearts system - but I've given it 4 stars on GoodReads if that helps.

I received this book from PTA for reading & reviewing.