When We Had Summer by Jennifer Castle is a beautifully crafted coming-of-age novel that captures the essence of friendship, love, and the bittersweet nature of growing up. Set against the backdrop of a small town during a transformative summer, Castle’s storytelling invites readers into the lives of her relatable characters as they navigate the complexities of adolescence.

The story centers around the protagonist, a young girl named Ashlyn, who is grappling with the changes in her relationships as she transitions from childhood to the brink of adulthood. Castle’s portrayal of Ashlyn’s journey is both poignant and authentic, capturing the insecurities and joys that come with this pivotal stage of life. The emotional depth of Ashlyn’s experiences resonates strongly, making her struggles and triumphs feel genuine and relatable.

When We Had Summer is a touching and insightful novel that beautifully captures the essence of youth and the transformative power of summer. Jennifer Castle has created a story that will resonate with readers of all ages, reminding us of the importance of friendship, love, and embracing the changes that life brings. This book is a must-read for anyone looking for a heartfelt exploration of growing up and the memories that shape us.

This was a cute read and very summery.
Overall I was pretty bored and I was expecting more to happen?
It’s great if you just want a nice summer read.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for my ARC copy.

When We Had Summer by Jennifer Castle is a book featuring three fourteen year old girls spending the summer grieving their best friend Carly who passed away. Carly was the glue that held the summer sisters together and the one who typically kicked off the tasks for the annual Summer Bucket List. The girls think last year was the last one, given that Carly is no longer with us. However, Daniella, Carly's cousin, finds a list that Carly had started in her seashell purse. And so, even though Daniella is spending summer in New York City doing music academy and Penny and Lainie are spending the summer at Ocean Park Heights, the three summer sisters left decide to take on the bucket list. Through the tasks they find a way through their grief and a way to move forward with their individual lives.

I felt like this story was really cute! I mean, yes there's some gravity to it, considering the death of Carly. However, ultimately it is a journey of self discovery for three girls who are all at a turning point. Penny has just gone through puberty, about to start a new job, likes a boy and isn't sure how to feel about her body. Lainie's grandparents are about to sell their bakery in Ocean Park Heights and move to Florida which means everything is changing for Lainie. Daniella is struggling with anxiety, panic attacks, and spending summer staying with her aunt and uncle, aka Carly's parents. The way each character's story plays out was very well done. I think given a lot of librarians are saying they are looking for books aimed at the younger end of YA, When We Had Summer by Jennifer Castle is a start!

When We Had Summer by Jennifer Castle is an important and special story about loss, change and the often topsy-turvy transition from childhood to young adult. The story follows a tight-knit, daring, eclectic group of friends who dedicate every summer to completing their #SummerSistersBucketList together, even after one of the crew sadly passes away.

I describe this book as “important” because it is the first young adult novel I have read in a long time that deals with the reality of a premature passing. The Summers Sisters are aged around 13 years old and they have just lost their close friend, Carly, to illness. Author Jennifer Castle does a gentle but sincere job of addressing such a death, in that she does not focus on Carly’s illness or the passing itself, but more on what comes next for Daniella, Lainie and Penny, as well as Carly’s family. As expected, the girls deal with the loss differently despite being united in their grief. I do not recall reading many books like this when I was a young adult (especially one’s that address the death of such a young person), but I think if I had, they would have helped me better understand and navigate such ups and downs in my own life.

Another, albeit related, theme in this story that warrants applause in its execution is change. In addition to Carly’s passing, the girls are all moving into a different chapter of their lives which comes with its own set of challenges. Daniella battles anxiety with her move to NYC, Lainie struggles with accepting her grandmother’s decision to not only sell the family business but to train the new buyers as well, and Penny prepares for her first date – and her first kiss – without the close support of her friends who all seem preoccupied in their own worlds. The themes throughout this book are raw and real but are handled with grace and care, which make it a heartbreaking but necessary read for avid young readers.

When We Had Summer not only raises critical themes and issues, it also offers suggestions in how to perceive them. My favorite quote from my favorite character in this story sums this up perfectly:

“I could say that [my] life is falling apart,” Nana said, looking Lainie square in the eye. “But I don’t. Because life is never falling apart. It’s just never perfect either. Not for anyone. Life is just… life.”

Such frank commentary appearing throughout this story, beautifully portrayed by compelling and genuine characters, adds to Carlile’s effortless and natural storytelling. When We Had Summer might be a tear-jerker at times, but it is worth it, and hey, there’s nothing wrong with tears. They are simply part of life.

This was such an interesting read! I found myself so engrossed in the story, the characters had such incredible arcs, and I can't wait to follow this author's journey!

Reading this book took me back the The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants with younger characters. It was heart=warming. I loved each character, their growth, and the maintaining of their friendship through difficult times. Highly recommend.

This book was definitely a rollercoaster. When the Summer Sisters lose one of their own, the remaining three girls have to figure out how to go on without their best friend and what to do about the newest bucket list she left behind.

Each character deals with grief in different ways. We see this not just within the Summer Sisters, but also within the family members. Therapy was also a big aspect of the book for one character and it was wonderful to see how accepted that was.

Thank you to NetGally and Disney Hyperion for the eARC!

This book is a raw and tender look at different ways teens cope with the death of a peer. Each main character struggles to process the loss of their good friend who initiated their "summer bucket list" of adventures and fun that bonded the group. As the group splinters and works to find a way forward, each girl learns more about herself, her family, and the best parts of life.

Thank you to Disney-Hyperion, Netgalley, and the author for early access to this touching novel.

This book!

So many feelings in the early teen years. This book touches on them all. From grief to jealousy to abandoned to joy to love to finding one’s place in their current life and their place in new experiences. It’s hard to be a teen girl!

The Summer Sister’s are embarking on a new journey without the glue that has always held them together. Carly was the friend/family who initially brought all four girls together but after she passed she left them one last summer bucket list. Will the list bring them closer together or push them to their limits breaking all the friendships in the process? Definitely go on this journey and see where it takes each Summer Sister individually and as a group.

Perfect YA read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the chance to read and review.

Carly, Daniella, Lainie, and Penny are four best friends who spend every summer together at a beach town in New Jersey completing a bucket list together. Until this summer, that is. Carly passed away suddenly last winter and everything is different. Daniella is going to a music summer school in the city, Lainie's grandparents are getting ready to move, and Penny's parents are arguing constantly. Then Daniella finds the bucket list for the summer that Carly had started and the three remaining summer sisters decide to do it. But it's still not the same and it becomes questionable if their friendship will survive the summer. A great book about friendship, believing in yourself, and finding out what really matters. Recommended for grades 6 & up.

Carly, Daniella, Lainie, and Penny are best friends that spend their summers together in the seaside town of Ocean Park Heights on the Jersey Shore. They are the #SummerSisters and have a tradition of completing a bucket list every summer, usually created by Carly. However, this summer, the summer of 9th grade, everything changes for the summer sisters. Daniella is going to a special music academy in NYC, Lainie finds out her family is moving, Penny finds that she might be moving at a faster pace than her friends and Carlie passes suddenly before the summer. Separated and struggling, Daniella, Lainie and Penny try to complete this summer's bucket list that Carly left behind.

When We Had Summer is a heartfelt coming of age young adult story. Focused on change, loss and growing up, each of the girls face a different challenge this summer while trying to carry on the bucket list tradition and honor Carly's memory. It was interesting seeing how the girls faced their different challenges and how they coped. Even as an adult it was easy to relate to the challenges the girls were facing and the impacts on their lives, breaking down everything they thought they were and having to rebuild. It was also nice to see the girls get the help they needed from their peers and adults around them. I loved when the summer sisters were able to come together along with the others who had helped them to memorialize Carly in a meaningful way.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

A wonderful book that has made my heart totally melt into a puddle of beauty! I will not forget this book & recommend everyone to read

Great book on the topic of friendship and grief but I always kept imaging the girls younger like 12 because of their thoughts and actions, lacked maturity. The three girls (minus their one summer friend) grow apart and together at the same time as they face doing their summer bucket list without the author of the list. Each handles the death of their friend in different ways. Would recommend for grades 6-9.

My first thought when reading this book was it reminded me of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Four friends' adventures. But that is where the comparison ended. The growth of the friends both emotionally and mentally was really interesting to watch develop. I loved how the author used their relationship to each other to pull and push them from and toward each other.
The bucket list was such an intriguing plot line and it was really thoughtful of the author. We all could use a bucket list.
I have to commend Disney Publishing on this book. I have read other books by Disney Publishing and been less than impressed. It wasn't the authors, it was the tone of the books. But that was not the case here. The author should be very proud of such a great book.
Enjoy!

This felt a lot younger than I expected. I think it would be good those readers like my niece who are a bit too young for most YA but too mature for middle grade. I thought it was an ok read.

In reality, this is the life most of my 9th graders lead. Uncertain about relationships with friends & family, they navigate their obstacles without the benefit of wisdom. These girls, once a quartet and now a trio, actually sound like adolescents & live like adolescents. They do silly things that are relatable and accessible for most of my students & don’t perpetuate the mini-adult mentality. I did want more story. I wanted the relationships of the summer sisters to be fleshed out more, and I wanted the bucket list adventures to have a little more background, but so many things were worked into the text that what I want to see would’ve made what is already a long text a multi-volume series. I know I have some girls who will scoop this right up. I’m glad to be able to share it with them!

I just reviewed When We Had Summer by Jennifer Castle. #WhenWeHadSummer #NetGalley

I requested this b/c I loved the entire Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. This is not a horrible facsimile.....but it is still just a facsimile. It us also seemingly geared to more of a middle school audience. The characters seemed a bit immature for age described. Would rec mainly for grades 6-9.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a lovely book that deals with the bonds of friendship and how grief affects everyone differently.
These friends want to keep the memory of Carly alive and they do that by completing her last bucket list.
It's a fun filled summer of friendship and learning to lean on your friends but also stand on your own.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

I selected this because I have had students asking for something "like the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants but modern." I think this book fits that bill, however it does skew a bit younger than I expected. The emotional maturity of the characters is lacking, but in a sense that lends believability. I love the summer bucket list component and that the characters gain empathy for the myriad of difficulties people face in their lives (death, moving, illness, etc.). Reviewed on GoodReads as well.

Three best friends are facing an unfamiliar summer without their fourth best friend, navigating grief and a lot of unexpected change. 31 swears, no 'f' - most were simply 'hell'.

This was a wonderful coming-of-age story that I truly enjoyed. I was especially pleased with how authentic the girls felt as young teenagers. There's a dearth of YA fiction being published with 14-year-old main characters and When We Had Summer hit all the best notes for that age range. Daniella, Lainie, and Penny felt like real freshman - somewhat hesitant, on the cusp of really starting to explore their identity, still young but not quite kids anymore. They were all working through difficult changes in their lives in addition to the sustained thread of grief for their lost friend - adolescent bodies that were developing in ways that they weren't entirely comfortable with, the scary and exciting possibility of romance, learning how to work through anxiety, finding your 'people', and more. All three had realistic flaws but they all still genuinely came back to each other as friends and it was beautiful.

The only point of friction I have is the very obvious Instagram substitute 'FotoSlam'. I understand why authors do this sort of thing - better to create an imaginary social media platform than to date yourself when the one you pick is wrong or becomes uncool - but it still tugs me a little bit out of the story. I also appreciated the inclusion of a nonbinary secondary character that was casually introduced and accepted without fanfare or hesitation; they were simply another character and that sort of entirely normal representation is wonderful.

Recommended as an excellent purchase to help fill the gap between middle grade fiction and YA that seems to be getting older and older every year; and also recommended as a great choice for young teens and older tweens looking for realistic YA.