This book is not what I was expecting. It is not really a thriller. I feel like if you like a slower paced book this one is for you. It just wasn't for me.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

I was really looking forward to a thriller set abroad, but this is not that book. After reading nearly 40% of the book I was still wondering what was thrilling about it? The character development feels stunted (which makes sense after reading several other reviews which claim the growth of the MC happens in the 11th hour) and the pacing is super slow. I was expecting something similar to One of the Girls based on the synopsis and marketing, but I was disappointed to find out I was wrong to expect that. This book seems to me mismarketed in my opinion, and I just can’t seem to connect enough with the storyline or the MC to finish.

A surprisingly heavy story that didn’t shy away from important topics like grooming, sexual exploitation, vulnerability and predatory behaviors. I can understand the frustration that some may have with the MCs decisions and way of thinking especially as an adult, but I found it realistic and impactful, clearly showing how the experiences of the past can impact the future. This story mirrors some high profile experiences we’ve heard in the media, but that didn’t impact my enjoyment at all. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author soon.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the arc.

This one is going to be a dnf for me. I just couldn’t get into the storyline or connect with any of the characters, so I was never really interested in picking it up. Since I didn’t finish, I will not be rating it or sharing a review on my platforms. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review though!

15 years ago when Rachel was just 17, she fell in love. And from there, things spiraled out of control, so much so that even in the present day, Rachel struggles with her life and the nightmare of what might have been.

This is one of those novels that digs under your skin. When you're reading it, you're engrossed in it. When you aren't reading it, you can't stop thinking about it. I was very much like Rachel at 17 - unsure about what my next steps would be, wanting to find love and adventure, enough to write a novel about it. I could understand how Rachel fell not just under Alistair's spell but also the spell of the island she found herself on.

There is an obvious theme with this novel revolving around the Me Too movement, and it comes up in such a nuanced way that you can't help but feel for the women in this novel. As things go on, I almost found myself angry with Rachel for not realizing what she went through but also understanding why she may not see it for herself.

Very well done. Amazing read.

This book was definitely not what I expected based on the cover and title but it was very captivating! Katie Bishop weaves a captivating narrative that delves into the complexities of love, obsession, and the enduring power of past memories. Set against the backdrop of a sun-drenched Greek island, the story follows Rachel, a woman torn between her present-day life and a long-cherished summer romance that has haunted her for fifteen years. As the story progresses, readers are treated to revelations about her time working for an enigmatic and powerful man, whose influence loomed larger than she could have ever imagined. These revelations add an intriguing layer of mystery and suspense to the narrative, heightening the tension and propelling the story forward.

It is a compelling exploration of love's enduring impact, the consequences of obsession, and the power of buried truths. Bishop’s nuanced portrayal of Rachel's emotional journey and the complexities of her relationships make for an engaging read. This book will appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven narratives filled with mystery, nostalgia, and a touch of bittersweet romance.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my opinion.

While the cover sells a fun beach read, this is quite the opposite. This is a dark book dealing with topics of sexual abuse, drug abuse, rape, human trafficking, and suicide. Told in a dual timeline POV, I struggled with Rachel's choices as an adult. While it's important to see the teenage versus adult version of the main character, it bugged me that the adult version of Rachel couldn't clearly depict her youth and see it for what it was. I wanted her to be angry, early on, at the man that manipulated and altered her life, but that didn't happen. For most of the book, she was stuck in the past.

With this book centered on topics around the #MeToo movement, I wanted more from this character so it left me a bit underwhelmed.

A provoking book set in Greece following Rachel as she first travels to the island when she was 17 with her friend Caroline. On the island, she meets an older man named Alistair and I'm sure you can tell where that goes. It can be an uncomfortable read at points but I appreciated the dark and slowburn nature of this psychological thriller.

I'll start right off by saying, this is not a light read. While the title and the cover might portray that, "The Girls of Summer" is laced heavily with themes of consent, power, sexual abuse, and, rape. The main plot of the story is that of Rachel, who travels to an exotic Greek Island as a teenager with her friend and falls for the much older Alistair. She decides to stay and work there and is brought into a world where powerful men get what they want.

We first meet Rachel while on holiday in the present day, while on holiday with her husband Tom. He surprises her by bringing her back to the island where he thought she had wonderful memories. Upon arriving at the bar where she used to work and having a face from her past remember her, her life is upended as she returns home and learns Alistair is now living in London.

Yes, this is a powerful #MeToo story. It's not an easy read. However, I had a really hard time getting into the story. I stuck it out because I wanted to know the outcome, but I would say it took me until around the 50% mark to start to enjoy reading it. Typically when that happens, I DNF, but wanted to give this one a shot because I had been reading good things about it.

In the end, I'm glad I finished. It is certainly an eye-opening book that will make you think.

{Thank you St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the eARC!}

The Girls of Summer is a book set on a beautiful island in Greece. Rachel was seventeen years old when she came to the island. She recalls an atmosphere of parties, freedom, drinks and drugs of the time. Alistair hires her at his boss’s bar that he manages. He tells her she is special but wants to keep their relationship secret. She doesn’t mind, soaking up the exhilaration from the attentions of an older man. This is the first time she has ever been in love.

In an alternate perspective, Rachel is a married woman. She never imagined settling down after her love affair on the island but she did. Her husband feels like it is time for them to start a new chapter in their lives with a baby but something is stopping Rachel. She has always thought fondly of her summer on the island and when a vacation there so many years later reconnects her with Helena, a girl who worked alongside her then, and Alistair, the man from her unfinished romance, Rachel cannot stop herself from re-experiencing the passion of those days.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙞𝙧𝙡𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧 by Katie Bishop is a strong debut about the stories we tell ourselves in order to protect ourselves from traumatic experiences. Through Rachel's journey, I witnessed the allure and dark underbelly of the bartending business, drugs, and a forbidden love affair. The novel artfully explores the consequences of unprocessed past experiences and the profound impact of shared narratives among women.

When Rachel was 17, she and her friend, Caroline, traveled to a remote Greek island. There, they met Alistair, a handsome older man. They began working at the bar where he was, and going to parties his boss threw, despite warnings from others on the island to be careful. Rachel falls in love with Alistair and stays on the island. But, things begin to get strange with the parties and her relationship.
Now, 16 years later, and married, Rachel still pines for Alistair. She tracks him down and rekindles their relationship. Helena, from her past, reaches out to her and gives Rachel some devastating news.
This book reminded me a lot of the Jeffrey Epstein grooming of young women and taking advantage of them. It is a quick read and kept my interest all along. I was curious to find out how Rachel would come to terms with everything.

The Girls of Summer

Original pub date was 6/6/23

This was a gifted arc from @stmartinspress @katiebishopwrites

I had such a busy June I didn’t get a chance to read this one until this week and wow..

First of all, I did not know how dark this book would be. This book depicts some extremely important and sensitive topics that could be very triggering for some readers. So definitely check those trigger warnings before diving in to this one.

This is a book centered around power, sex , money and consent. Rachel’s summer as a teen is not what she remembered it. Now that she is an adult and is looking back at that summer, and talking with those affected she finally realizes the extreme manipulation she went through.. this book is a multiple time line story about that summer.

Like I stated this book will make you very uncomfortable but also makes you keep turning those pages. It is incredibly important because so many people go through these exact same things. And there voices need to be heard just as Rachel and the others try to find their justice years later.

If you’re looking for a multiple timeline, dark psych thriller with a me too movement.

This is the one for you.

An atmospheric novel about one woman's haunting journey to find herself through the realization of a past trauma. Katie Bishop tells a story of a beautiful island full of dark secrets between young girls and an older benefactor. Unfortunately, there was a bit of disconnect with characterization and expectations going into the novel. This is more of a women's fiction than suspense/thriller. That coupled with the slower pacing, left a bit of disconnect.


Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC of #TheGirlsofSummer

I went into reading this novel with little knowledge about it; it isn't a light and fluffy read as the title and cover might lead you to believe. It is an intense and original story that works well as a summer read if you want a bit of a change from the typical light summer story. The plot and characters definitely kept my interest despite it being a slow burn type of novel. Overall I enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to what comes next from this author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-galley!

The Girls of Summer by Katie Bishop is a captivating novel that transports readers to a remote Greek island, where a summer love affair between Rachel and Alistair has left an indelible mark on her life. This book weaves a compelling tale of love, secrets, and the quest for self-discovery as Rachel becomes increasingly obsessed with reliving the events of that transformative summer.

From the outset, Bishop's descriptive prose creates an immersive experience, vividly capturing the sun-soaked atmosphere and the allure of the Greek island. The nights are long, the alcohol flows freely, and inhibitions fade away as Rachel and the other girls are drawn into a world where they can act in ways they never would at home. The author skillfully portrays the captivating atmosphere of freedom and escapism that envelopes the island, transporting readers into a realm of heightened emotions.

As Rachel reconnects with the other girls who shared in the island's allure and her former lover Alistair, dark secrets from her past begin to resurface. Bishop expertly peels back the layers of Rachel's first love affair, exposing suppressed memories and revealing the truth about her time working for a mysterious and controlling man. The intertwined narratives of love, secrets, and self-discovery unravel at a steady pace, keeping readers engaged and eager to uncover the hidden depths of Rachel's past.

The characters in The Girls of Summer are well-developed and relatable, each carrying their own burdens and secrets. Rachel's journey is the focal point of the narrative, and her increasing obsession with reliving her past creates an intense psychological exploration. The author delves into the complexities of memory, trauma, and the longing for lost love, allowing readers to empathize with Rachel's emotional journey.

While the premise and exploration of Rachel's past are compelling, there are moments when the pacing feels uneven, and certain revelations may not have the intended impact due to their predictability. Additionally, some readers may find the depiction of certain mature themes and potentially triggering subjects challenging.

The Girls of Summer is a captivating novel that immerses readers in a world of love, secrets, and self-discovery. Katie Bishop's evocative prose and well-drawn characters breathe life into the sun-drenched Greek island and its inhabitants. Although the pacing may falter at times, the book's exploration of memory, longing, and the quest for personal truth offers a compelling reading experience.

Imagine going on the trip of a lifetime as a teenager, falling for an older man who ghosts you, romanticizing said relationship, and then finding out that he is not the person you thought he was. This is the plot of this #Metoo read. It's dark, and at times frustrating because as the reader you have an idea of what has happened and yet it takes almost the entire book for Rachel, the main character in this story, to realize it too. Rachel's character arc is believable though, and watching her finally realize and acknowledge what happened to her and the justice she achieves is satisfying.

I had such high hopes for The Girls of Summer - and while the setting and cover of this book are stunning, the book was a bit of a flop for me!

The main character Rachel is highly unlikeable (and not in a love to hate kind of way that I enjoy in some thriller books) and the story drags.

It flips back and forth between a dual timeline. I was expecting more thriller aspects, and there is nothing thrilling abo it this book. (There are two events that they don’t come out and directly say what happened until near the end of the book but it’s brought up an annoying amount of times, and it is far from a twist).

While I appreciated the author exploring difficult themes of consent and trauma, it felt like it was acknowledged and rushed at the ending.

This book may have worked better for me if it was about 100 pages shorter.

Thank you to @stmartinspress for the gifted copy! (All thoughts are my own)

This one is hard for me to review. I had different expectations of this book based on the cover/title and unfortunately I didn't read the synopsis as closely as I should have prior to reading to adjust those expectations. This is not a beachy thriller for the record.

While the story itself was compelling (although very slow burn), I had a hard time with the characters especially the MC. There is little growth from 17 to her adult years with her just as oblivious to everything that occured "that" summer. With the whole story focusing on her in both the then and now sections, it's as if little has changed for her other than her scenery.

Overall, if you're looking for a slow burn, atmospheric book that is #metoo inspired, check this one out. Unfortunately it just wasn't for me.

This was a fantastic summer read! Dark and suspenseful - reminded me of a cross between My Dark Vanessa and Taken.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, St Martin Press and MacMillan Audio for this gifted e-arc & audiobook of The Girls of Summer by Katie Bishop in exchange for my honest review. This book came out on June 6th, 2023 and it’s the PERFECT Beach Read. It’s not a light fluffy read. But it will have you truly captivated with this intense storyline. I loved how original this one was. Heavy, Intense but ORIGINAL. I was shocked to learn that this was the author’s debut novel. WOW!! I will definitely be picking up future books by this author

The narrator, Annabel Scholey, made this such an incredible reading experience. I HIGHLY recommend this audiobook. She truly captured the dark mesmerizing vibe this book was giving. .