Absolutely didn't love this, and I think it comes down to the book having to walk a line between being a real YA teen thriller and fitting the (unbeknownst to me) Christian publisher that's releasing it. The writing didn't really work as being from a teen's point of view, at least to me (an admittedly NOT teenaged adult), and some of the references seemed dated. Moreover, while the mystery was ok enough and engaging, the initial 'mystery' of why Darcy was ostracized and made fun of at school (at least by douchey boys) was bizarre and only makes sense give the Christian publisher context (I assumed it was leaked nude photos. It was...not.)

I was really excited for this read after immensely enjoying "Dearest Josephine," by the same author. Unfortunately, this one fell flat for me. The characters didn't really appeal to me or draw me in, and I was a little surprised at some of the content for being from a Christian publisher--I just expected more, or perhaps less, as the case may be.

It's also not one to read at bedtime (if you're curious, haha!)--for the mystery/thriller aspect.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

While this wasn’t terrible, I feel basically neutral about this book. The writing was good, but the events weren’t interesting enough to keep me interested. Even though I felt majorly detached to the story, I still like the writing so much and wanted to like the characters enough to keep going. But it just didn’t hit that spot for me.

What I liked: I liked Caroline George’s writing and her writing style. I liked the characters. I enjoyed getting perspective from both Darby and Morgan. I really enjoyed the summer camp counselor mystery aspect. It felt very retro while being modern at the same time. I loved the friend group, even as shattered as they were.

What I didn’t like: The reveal of why Darby and Morgan stopped being besties a couple years ago. It seemed INCREDIBLY juvenile and didn’t seem to be on par with the other kinds of murdery themes in the book. I also didn’t like how the story progressed. It was unrealistic and slow/boring at times.

I’m actually bummed out that I couldn’t get into this one more because I was really excited for it.

This was an easy, quick, and fun read but I think it's important to keep in mind that it is young adult. It's about teenagers and feels a little immature at times. I thought how they all lost their memory of the summer strange, but was interested in seeing how and why. There was a lot of partying and drinking with the kids, which it seems some reviewers were upset about, but I found it realistic and added some entertainment to the story. The mystery of this one will keep your interest.

A teacher missing for two years was recently found dead. Murdered. The last persons to see him alive were seven teenagers. Present day- None of them can recall much about the camp they went to except how it affected their friendships. They are either pretending to not remember, or they actually forgot all of it.

YA is usually one of My favorites and added to the can't-recall trope, this is the brilliant book it created. I was hooked from the first chapter and devoured every word in a couple of days. I'm not usually a fan of dual POV, but this novel was done beautifully, featuring Darby and Morgan- ex besties with an interesting past. I quote loved the plot twist although I had an idea what it would be, it still surprised me. What I think could have been done better was the second part of the mystery, which I felt had a unsatisfying end. Romance and friendships are an important part of the story and as far as platonic relationships go, I felt it was fine. The main romance was brilliant (this coming from someone who usually dislikes love in mysteries), but I felt The side relationships were unnecessary. The format of the book is great. The font size was just perfect (I read it in a PDF format), and the text message to start each chapter was high anticipated. Recommended for all YA mystery lovers.

Due to content I don't agree with (sexual content; such as making out, involvement with a minor, one night stands, and other such content.) coming from a Christian publisher I will not be finishing or recommending this book.

I knew going in that this book was YA, and being a child of the 80s, I was hoping for a modern Lois Duncan meets Christopher Pike kind of read. Like an I Know What You Did Last Summer for the 21st century. This book was not that. From the opening pages of this book I got weird vibes - and not the kind that should come along with a book about a murdered teacher. It was the writing and specifically the language - the kind of creepy voyeuristic ways people talk about teenagers and make judgments about their bodies and describe their activities that have zero resonance as actual young characters describing their lives. And then I read some other reviews and learned that this was released by a Christian publisher. Mystery solved. I haven't read anything else by this author, but this book was not believable as a story narrated by young people. The mystery was not compelling enough to propel my reading or interest, and the "big reveals" were not that twisty or surprising. Two stars for the title, premise, and cover.

This was definitely not the book for me. I was hoping it was going to be fun like We Were Liars with a good mystery and wondering what had happened, but it fell flat for me. I didn't actually read most of it...it was dragging on and I was getting bored and I thought I knew what had happened (not why, but I was guessing who was involved) so I skipped to the end and I was right...It was an odd read for me.

Right from the beginning this story didn't work for me. We start with Darby's point of view and how her mom wants perfection, but she is not perfect, not good like they think she is. She has a bin "full of items that echo my deepest, darkest self. Clothes too short, too tight. Diaries and bad report cards for my eyes only." and like...okay? So you have some C report cards and some tight, short clothes and that somehow makes you not good?

Then we also have Morgan who used to be bff with Darby but then something happened that ruined everything and it was all Morgan's fault. I was curious what this would be, what big thing happened that everyone is still talking about 2 years later and...well...it was really underwhelming. So I guess slight spoilers even though you find out at 10%:

The reason why Darby and Morgan had a fight? What people are still talking about? Well they were together in a closet and started kissing, her brother opened the door recording trying to catch them doing something, a still from that video of them kissing got out and...that is it. A photo of 2 kids kissing and people still have not gotten over that 2 years later? Kissing? Not having sex, not doing anything bad, just kissing? Apparently kissing is a huge deal in the world of this book, as well as short, tight clothing. Then I looked at a few of the negative reviews that are already up and found out that the publisher is a Christian publisher, though the negative reviewers all said this is not a Christian book since it has kissing and stuff in it. So yeah, if I would have known that going in, even though this is not a Christian book according to some, I never would have picked it up to read as that is not for me. I don't see what the big deal is with kissing so...this story didn't work for me.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publish for an advanced copy of this book

This book was extremely slow. And then all of a sudden at around 80% it picked up and was okay. The concept was good, but it was poorly executed. After reading the authors note, I see that she was trying to go for an Outer Banks feel and I just didn’t get that.

A suspenseful YA murder mystery told between the perspectives of two of the main characters. Everyone seems like an unrelatable narrator because of the memories they supressed. What they remember, what they don't. And the multiple lies they seem to make and secrets they keep. It was suspenseful and thrilling enough, with a sweet long time friendship turned lovers trope squeezed in. Has a very Outer Banks feel about it so if you are into that series, i believe you will enjoy this one! (In fact, George did mention she got some inspiration from the show thanks to her siblings) I think it could have been cut short by a teeeeny bit but still overall, i did enjoy getting this. Looking forward to read more stuff by Caroline George.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas-Nelson for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

5/5 stars

I received an ARC of this book, and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Seven teenagers. One summer. Zero memories.

When the body of their science teacher is found in the marsh at their summer camp, seven teenagers are forced to confront the truth of what happened that summer. For some reason, none of them can remember anything about their summers two years ago. Brought together by their questions, the teens suspect something horrible happened that summer and has come back to haunt them in the present. Is one of them to blame? What happened to their memories? Is a murderer still out there? Can they trust each other...or even themselves?

This book hooked me from the very beginning! The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end! Caroline George's writing is so beautiful and captivating! I loved her book Dearest Josephine, and I knew I would have to read this one as well. Despite being complete opposites, I found that I greatly enjoyed them both!

It's hard to review this without spoiling anything, so I'll keep it short. The mystery is the focal point of the book but I loved the relationships between the characters as well. The character development was excellent, and I found it just as interesting as the mystery! I thought Caroline did a great job capturing teenage angst and drama while crafting an excellent mystery!

Reading this reminded me a lot of Outer Banks, so I thought it was funny that the author mentioned it in her note in the back of the book! The Summer We Forgot is a YA murder mystery/thriller and also a romance, which seems like a weird combination of genres, but I thought it made for an engaging and fun read. I stayed up to binge the last 70% of this book in one go, and it was completely worth it!

I would definitely recommend this, especially if you like YA thrillers and/or the show Outer Banks! I can't wait for more from Caroline George!

Content: underage drinking/partying, assault, violence, minor in a relationship with an older guy, making out/kissing

*I got an arc through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

This book... did not give, what needed to be gave?

Now, the premise sounded super interesting and I was really looking forward to this book, but it all just felt really flat to me?

I think the biggest problem for me was that we were supposed to feel for characters, but they were all way too two dimensional. I also didn’t agree with how quickly problems were solved and forgiven.

I did like the plot and must say I didn’t quite see the ending coming, so at least the book has that going for itself.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this digital ARC.

This book is written in a dual POV by Morgan and Darby (two camp counsellors).

I went into this book with high hopes as I loved Caroline George’s last novel, Dear Josephine but this one is nothing like that.

First of all, thank you so much Caroline and Thomas Nelson for the ARC <3
I read Caroline's first book, Dearest Josephine and loved it! It was such a beautiful book.
I will say this one is very very different from that one.
Before I start this review I want to say that Caroline is a freaking talented writer. She has a Gift to transport you to different places with just words and that is magical.
Sally for me The Summer We Forgot didn't make it into my ''loved'' shelf.
I was expecting something different when I picked up this book.
This story is secular. Even though it's published by a Christian Publishing house this is not a Christian book or has Christian lessons, in my opinion.
There is underage drinking, partying, making outs, a dude being with a minor, one Night stands, etc.
I don't really know how to explain the type of content so I'll just leave you some quotes. I just don't feel comfortable reading this or recommending it to others, more so when it's published by a Christian Publishing house....
Also there kids are teens...

''we continued to kiss and touch, , sink deeper into the wall of our fur coats, until Darby's older brother discovered us. He must have caught us in a compromising position because he flung open the closet door...guess he didn't expect to find two fifteen year old with their tongues down each other's throats''

''last night seemed like a week ago. A tipsy haze of Alcohol , glow stciks, and a part timer Emily offering to make out with me in Kip's room''


''my mouth on her neck. Her breath in my ear. Hands where hands shouldnt be...''

''I saw her for what it seemed the first time. My swim team shirt clung to her body , curves and beautiful, . I'd gone years without noticing , but I noticed then...''

''Summertime.....kiss the boy, get drunk and end up shirtless in the neighbors yard..''

If you want a suspenseful, keep you guessing, edge of your seat wondering what will happen next, then The Summer We Forgot by Caroline George is for you. I read the entire book in two sittings, only because I had to work and couldn't finish it in the first. In the story, Darby, Morgan, Eliza, Cyrus, Kip, Spooner, and Annabelle are all counselors for a summer camp with their teacher, Mr. Horowitz. However, something happens that summer and none of them can remember what it was. Two years later, as they are poised to start their senior year in high school, Mr. Horowitz' body is discovered in the marsh at the campsite, apparently dead since that summer. When the students find themselves the target of blackmail and attacks on their lives, it becomes all the more important to remember what happened that summer. But, as the pieces start to fall into place, the truth may be even worse than knowing what happened.
Five stars. Great book and characters. This was my second story by George and I will definitely be looking for more!
Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review. All opinions are my own.

I was hooked until the ending. I wish it had ended differently. Like, I had so many different plot lines planned out that it could've and should've done, but it choose one that was, in my opinion, very boring and lackluster.

It still was a very good mystery. It kept me wanting to know more about the kids memory gaps and what happened that summer.

The writing was easy to read and I will be looking forward to another book by the author.

Characters were very unlikable and obviously unreliable but that's the point right? I'm still confused by the need to make the brother such a focal point and we only see Darbys sis once the whole book.

I hated the way darbys parents talked to her and the whole "good girl" thing gave me the jeebies.

I am in the minority when it comes to this book (and Caroline George, apparently. I didn't mind Dearest Josephine but was hoping I'd fall more in love with this book). I tried so hard to get into this book and give it a fair change, but I kept losing interest and putting it down. To then forget about it for weeks. I started it several times but ultimately decided I am not the right audience for Caroline's books so I've decided to DNF The Summer We Forgot. I don't rate DNFs because I don't think it's fair when I haven't finished the book, but since I can't leave this review without rating, I'm giving it 2 stars for the pretty and atmospheric writing.

Thank you to the published for the eARC I received via Netgalley.

This is my first book by this author and I will be picking up more. I thought this was done really well and I absolutely needed to know what was going on. I liked the hard hitting subjects this covered.

This wasn't bad, persay but there were things that were annoying, like mentioning Morgan's roseca every 5 minutes. The plot was good-ish but still left something to be desired.

4.5 stars / This review will be posted on goodreads.com today.

YA Mystery will keep you guessing to the end.

Darby, Morgan, Eliza, Spooner and Cyrus used to be the best of friends. They did everything together through middle school, even volunteering to be counselors at a summer camp their middle school science teacher was organizing. But something happened that summer. None of them remember exactly what happened, but it broke them apart.

Now bits and pieces of that summer are coming back to Darby and her friends. Someone else knows it as well, because they are receiving threatening messages. When one of their own goes missing, the group suspects the worst. They need to solve the mystery of their missing summer before anyone else disappears or worse.

Loved this book. Teen years are hard for everyone. No one escapes them unscathed. Caroline George has captured the awkwardness and difficulty that most teens face when they start changing. I’m sure we all have summers we’d like to forget, but not in the way that these teens ended up forgetting. Never expected how this one would end up. No spoilers, but it’s a good one.