Kristy Woodson Harvey has written one of my all-time favorite stories - Under the Southern Sky. She has become one of my must reads authors, and for good reason. Her stories are so full of heart. I put off reading this book as long as I could because I knew it was going to be amazing. And I wasn't ready to not have the book to look forward to. Unfortunately, this book didn't do it for me. Maybe I waited too long and built up the hype too much. I was excited to read this story - with a summer camp setting. I didn't love the characters at all in this story and I think that's where things first went wrong for me. I also had a hard time keeping up with everyone. There were too many characters and I never really could figure out where things were going. It felt a bit messy to me and I wasn't a fan of that. Looking at the reviews for The Summer of Songbirds, I'm clearly in the minority for opinions on this book. So don't just take my word for it if you've been wanting to read this.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. In the past, I loved books written by Kristy Woodson Harvey, but I could not get into this book, print, or audio.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "The Summer of Songbirds" and all opinions expressed are my own. It took a bit of time to get into this book. It was a nice summer read. Sometimes I wish authors would just use regular names, where did Mary Stuart come from? Why not just Mary? Overall good.

This book was like going to summer camp! It was such a wonderful read! I love everything Kristy Woodson Harvey writes!

The Summer of Songbirds is a quintessential summer read., capturing the essence of warmth, friendship and nostalgia that the season often brings. I will read anything this author writes and look forward to more books from her.

This is my first read by Kristy Woodson Harvey and what a great read. I would be honored to read any books that she writes.

I loved this book. I never went to summer camp, I never wanted to go to summer camp, yet this book made me nostalgic for something I never experienced. The writing brings the characters to life, and gives them depths that make you feel like you know them.

I wish I could read this one again for the first time!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley; all opinions are my own.

I love Kristy’s writing style. This was well written but I didn’t fall in love with the characters. An overall good book. I would recommend it but not my favorite by this author.

This was a great read and will definitely recommend!! The cover is also so cute. Can’t wait to read more by this author, she never disappoints.

This book, gosh, what an incredible story. I find myself constantly recommending this one to friends. If you love Elin Hildebrand or any of the authors who write east-coast fiction, this one will be a hit. It has twisty love stories, complicated family relationships, and lifelong friendships. Its a beautiful story.

I love Kristy Woodson Harvey so much. I read her Peachtree series had to pick this one up as well. I was lucky enough to receive this digital ARC as well as a physical copy. Thank you to NetGalley, Kristy, and Simon and Schuster for the copies.

These three women who bond at a summer camp have the experience I always wanted as a little girl. It was so beautiful to read. While navigating the complexities of their adult lives, these women find themselves wishing for simpler times. Aunt June is one of my favorite characters from any of Harveys books. She's got fire and I absolutely loved it. Since we didn't get any chapters from Mary's POV, I'm glad we got the emails to get some of her voice through.

This really is just a beautiful book about unconditional love, found family, sisterhood, and the beauty of simple things.

Absolutely obsessed!! Such a well rounded good book! I loved all the characters (besides Bryce) and their storylines. Highly enjoyed this one!!

If you’re looking for a wholesome, fun to read romance, look no further. This was so enjoyable and I honestly loved the characters, the storyline itself, and the end. There’s some mystery, closed door romance, lifelong friendships, and some underlying addiction that brings this story to life, and makes you just wish you could go to summer camp and have the experiences these women had. I have read other Kristy Woodson Harvey novels, and I’m fairly certain this is my favorite, and she was already an automatic read for me. So do yourself a favor and read this novel this spring / summer - it’s so good.
Big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book really just took me for a ride. I loved the build up, the character development, and the writing. I would definitely read more from this author!

Kristy Woodson Harvey has left me ready for summer camp in this book. This was a great read that has strong female character connections and will have you remembering fun times from your past. A group of women return to one of their family's own camps that is about to be sold. The women call to action to help save the camp along the way they remember their fun times and some romances along the way. Just go read The Summer of Songbirds. This book will have you ready to remember childhood friends and all the good and some of the bad times from then also.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of THE SUMMER OF SONGBIRDS.

I seem to be somewhat in the minority, but I did not love this title. I found the characters hard to follow and relate to. I was just never super interested in what was going on or what was going to happen. I really had to push through to finish it.

I'm honestly not sure why but this one confused me a bit. I think it was all of the character's names just ran together in my head. (They are not similar maybe they were just too southern for me??) Besides that odd fact about my brain lol, I really liked this one. I enjoyed the summer camp vibe and think the nostalgia for readers who actually went to summer camp (I sadly did not). This is my first by this author and will not be my last. It was a good read that I was excited to keep picking back up!

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this story. This review can be found on my instagram @manymerrybooks

I flew through this one on audio (thanks @simon.audio!) though I wonder if I’d have preferred physically reading it a little more, as I think that format would have made it easier to keep all the characters, their stories (both past and present) and the alternating timelines straight.

The premise itself is so fun. Who doesn’t want to meet their best friends as young children at summer camp? Goals. I love the relationship they share. My favorite part of the book was the “hard things” emails. IYKYK. I want a friend to be able to do that with!

I also loved the nostalgia of Camp Holly Springs & really enjoyed June and her perspective. The 3 friends - Daphne, Mary Stuart and Lanier, all had so much going on in their lives (maybe even too much?) and at times it had the drama of an episode of Desperate Housewives. There was something around every corner and it was a little tough to keep it all straight. This one would be perfect to throw in your beach bag though, especially if you’re craving a drama!

There were a few themes & tropes that aren’t my fav so heed the trigger warnings below.

Trigger warnings: death, death of a parent, infidelity, unplanned pregnancy, drug addiction, overdose, house fire

Kristy Woodson Harvey is one of my favorite “beach reads” authors but she is so much more than that. As someone who went to summer camp every summer growing up, I felt a lot of nostalgia in this book. The summer of Songbirds is about summer camp friends, who grow up and have sister like bonds, and they do each other’s hard things. When secrets start to pop up an old relationships, fizzle, we go along with the girls as they navigate how to work through all their issues and get back to the heart of summer camp. I really love how the author was able to tell such a beautiful story, and make us be able to relate to these characters. As always, can’t wait for her next one! Thank you Netgalley for my digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

#TheSummerofSongbirds is not only one of my top books of 2023, but one of my favorite books ever. #KWH has a true gift of making you fall in love with her characters and their story. I read this in one sitting. Not only did I become attached to the characters, especially the main 4 women (& Paula!), but Daphne is one of my favorite characters in any book. I’m so grateful for the early opportunity to read this beautiful story that brought back memories from my younger days.

#FWAFS!

Thank you, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Gallery Books, Uplitreads & netgalley for for my copy! All opinions are my own.