Kristy Woodson Harvey does it yet again. She wove the lives of three girls-sisters more like-into a tale of heartbreak, laughter, finding who you are and who your family is, and most of all who would you do anything for? I have read every KWH book and I have to say The Summer of Songbirds is among one of her best. This book will wow others all summer long--and make you want to go back to Summer camp!

Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

“Four women come together to save the summer camp that changed their lives and rediscover themselves in the process.”
Kristy Woodson Harvey has become an autobuy author for me as I’ve enjoyed several of her previous books, including her Peachtree Bluff series and The Wedding Veil. The are the perfect summer reads and The Summer of Songbirds fits nicely into that category. This book transported me right back to my own camp days.
In her author’s note, Kristy Woodson Harvey describes The Summer of Songbirds, as a “journey back to camp.” And that’s really what it felt like. This book is really about the importance of friendship and those friends that become family, as well as the summers of your childhood and teenage years where you just get to enjoy being at camp. As grown-ups, these women want to ensure that their own children are able to have that camp experience as well and they all work together to save Camp Holly Springs for future generations. Through that, they kind of save themselves and each other as well. Daphne, Lanier and Mary Stuart’s friendship clearly stands the test of time and helping each other with their “hard things,” which is a theme that I loved throughout the book.

Kristy Woodson Harvey has done it again! Her writing always feels like talking to a close friend, reliving a memory, or stepping into a story. It is vivid and sensory, and yet feels natural, not forced.

This book explores such a special place in many children's memories--camp--the friendships that are forged, the memories you make, and how it can help shape the person you become. I love the way eastern North Carolina is sprinkled into the story, and the little touches about what summer camp is like.

I also appreciate that she deals with addiction, loss, and family trauma in a real and relatable way. Those who are dealing with substance abuse in the story are (mostly) treated with care and respect, loved through their challenges, and helped as much as possible. As addiction is something that so many families grapple with these days, I appreciated her sensitivity in approaching this subject, and how it was not the most important thing about these characters.

I love a book that sucks me in and I've finished it before I'm even ready to be "done" with the characters and the story, and that is how I always feel after reading her books--delightful through and through!

“Maybe when you finally find where you’re meant to be, summer never ends.”

Oh. My. The nostalgia. This story will make you want to go back to summer camp and sit around a campfire, while you share your deepest, darkest secrets (and laughs) with your best friends!

I adored their friendship and especially their ‘Hard Things’ - where their friend carries the burden of those pesky little things that are they are less good at. You know, those hard things that we try to avoid, like for me, it would be doing my taxes or giving a public presentation. 🤣

Kristy writes characters that aren’t perfect; they’re real with real-life struggles and flaws and I love that. There’s all-out drama and SCANDALS galore. 🫢 But there are also heavy, deep, heartfelt moments that will have you in your feels. I would’ve loved to read Mary Stuart’s perspective but maybe…just maybe (pretty please) we’ll get a sequel or series from this?! 🤞🏽This book is one that you will HUG with your whole heart when you’re finished!

Themes:

-Found Family
-Summer Camp
-Second Chance Romance
-Best Friend’s Brother

RUN and add Summer of Songbirds to your beach bag because it’s a MUST read this summer!

We all have nostalgic summer memories that hold a special place in our heart. THE SUMMER OF SONGBIRDS follows four best friends who met at a summer camp as little girls. Over the years their lives have taken them in different directions but their bond has remained unchanged. When their beloved camp threatens to close they must band together to save a place they hold so dear.

This was such a charming story and I loved the way that female friendships were portrayed. This was my first book by Kristy Woodson Harvey and it certainly won’t be my last.

READ THIS IF:
You’re drawn to stories of friendship and romance
Hallmark movies are your love language
A group text with your girlfriends is your lifeline

RATING: 4/5
PUB DATE: July 11, 2023

Absolutely LOVED this book. It's a great summer read about family, friends and friends that turn into family. 3 friends met at camp as young girls and have stayed close throughout all the hard parts of life, but what happens when secrets threaten to pull them apart? I couldn't put this one down!

You wanna know the book that should be in everyone's pool or beach bag this summer? This one!
The Summer of Songbirds was such a great book filled with lifelong friendships, the nostalgia of summer camp, and love stories! It's about rising up and coming together and growing even when life throws you curve balls! It's the perfect summer read!

Wow! Kristy Woodson Harvey never misses! While I never experienced summer camp, I am now sending my oldest kids to camp and and so thrilled at the possibility of them having experiences like the ones in this book! The friendships were so beautiful and I even took away some practical knowledge including the “hard things” emails I hope to recreate with my friends! Such a great story!

I love summer books and this is a story about summer in all its glory!
friendship that endures through the years and how lessons that we learn at a young age continue to guide us through our lives. It made me feel the importance of female friendship. It had a bit of romance, a few tears and a lot of happiness!
Makes me want to attend camp with my girlfriends for our 40th.

The Summer of Songbirds ⛵️
Thank you, Gallery Books & UpLit Reads, for the gifted copy of this book {partner}

Genre: Fiction
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 7.11.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

"We belong together. Like sand and the ocean. Like flowers and the soil. Like songbirds and the sky."

Leave it to Kristy Woodson Harvey to deliver just the book I needed!

I didn't have the opportunity to attend summer camp as a child, but this book painted the perfect picture of what it must've been like to experience and cultivate friendships like Daphne, Mary Stuart, and Lanier. The characters in this book are the true embodiment of found family. Kristy Woodson Harvey always creates real, relatable characters that I can't help but love (even if they mettle in other's relationships - I'm looking at you, Lanier).

There were additional elements that I particularly loved about this book - broken families and romance. While these are contrasting themes, they added grit to the story I didn't know I needed. Without giving much away, Daphne comes from a family broken by addiction, which Daphne also struggles with during her earlier years. As hard as it was to read some of these chapters, KWH added romance for the older Daphne, which helped soften the darker edges of the book. It was a welcome addition to the story that added a lot of character depth.

🥰 Friendship & found family
⛵️ Summer camp setting
🗣️ Three perspectives (Daphne, June, & Lanier)
🙌🏼 Relatable characters
🔥 Huff
👌🏼 Character growth
💯 Perfect ending

I recommend reading The Summer of Songbirds if you're looking for the perfect summer read!

Wow! This book was a little bit of a departure from KWH's Peachtree Bluff series but I am here for it.

Summer of Songbirds celebrates the lifelong friendship of Daphne, Lanier and Mary Stuart. They became friends as six year old campers at Camp Holly Springs. Years later, they remain the closest of friends, determined to save Camp Holly Springs.

I loved the way this story wove back and forth between past and present. We were able to learn about many of the girls' early summers at the camp, their friendships, their first loves, and then their lives since. I feel like you are either a summer camp person or you're not and I was. I loved every second of the summer camp nostalgia. These women learned foundational life skills as summer campers that have stayed with them throughout their lives together and their relationships going forward.

This is a pleasant story of three friends who met at camp when they were 6 years old. They remained friends through the years as they grew up and now depend on each other for support. The book is told through the thoughts of the three main characters and Aunt June who owns the camp. The author does a very good job of expressing what each person is thinking and doing so you can follow along. This is a fun sometimes tear-jerking romance and will likely stay with you a while. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

The summer at camp for three girls brought lifelong friendships that filled each of their lives. Now adults, they join forces to save the camp that they love so much. Losing it would forever remove a place of comfort and memories. Their plan is to reinvigorate the camp and create a thriving business there again. Along the way, two lost loves are revisited and romance takes a chance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ah the lazy days of summer as a young camper! This fictional romp draws largely on your memory of summer camp. If you never went to camp this one will make you really regret it and you will feel that you have been there. The friendship bonds of the campers and all the fun they had is relived many years later as the camp is now experiencing some financial hard times. A group of friends from childhood jump in to try to save their beloved camp. All of the characters are great and the story is filled with romance, strong relationships and bonding. I think you will love this story just as much as I did and I highly recommend it. Thank you Kristy for another wonderful story. This is one that touches the reader’s heart.

I wish to thank NetGalley and Galley Books Publishers for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The perfect summer read! Kristy Woodson Harvey is a must buy for me. So honored to have received this ARC. And I’ve already ordered the signed copy. Perfect read for our camping trips.

Daphne, Lanier & Mary Stuart have been best friends since their first summer at Camp Holly Springs. It was their Songbird Summer. They have grown up together and done each other’s hard things each week. Now with their beloved camp in danger of being sold to developers, the Songbirds rally to save their special place. But what if the hard things involve hiding secret about a friends fiancé, or a secret love. Is their friendship strong enough to weather another storm & save Camp Holly Springs ?

Once again Kristy Woodson Harvey draws us into another community of strong women who love & support each in the good time & bad. We learn that friendship can survive and that you’re never too old to go back to camp.

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy of KWH latest book. I’ve read most of her books and love all the southern character names, descriptions, sayings, and settings. The Summer of Songbirds might just be my favorite books of hers yet. The story line set at summer camp took me right back to my own time at camp in the 80’s which I had such fond memories. The three main ladies have such a strong, beautiful bond that spanned over decades with ups and downs. It takes you through them meeting as little girls, growing into young ladies, and navigating adulthood. It’s the perfect amount of romance and with a splash of drama.

🐦 BOOK / REVIEW 🐦

The NOSTALGIA of this book 🥹

Absolutely loved this book - plain and simple. I was instantly transported back to being a young girl, embarking my first trip to a sleep away camp called Surf City with my church. Those weeks away, learning how to be on my own for the first time and tasting freedom and independence, are still so special to me.

@kristywharvey created the perfect characters, plot and just enough drama to completely consume me. I loved reading through the perspective of 3 different characters (I would love to know why Mary Stuart wasn't one of them), and felt a true connection with each. There a lot of depth, while also being lighthearted and tender. #thesummerofsongbirds will be a book I think of fondly for a long time. This one almost warrants a sequel - the epilogue wasn't enough for me 😭

Thank you @uplitreads for having me #ontour. This one publishes by @gallerybooks and @simonbooks in July, 2023. Prepared to be utterly DAZZLED by this book ❤️

Thank you @uplitreads for a copy of the perfect summer read. This book has a nostalgic feel with flash back of summer camps for 3 girls that met at camp. The story is told in perspective of 3 voices, Daphne, Lanier and Daphen's aunt, June. I love that this story is not only about friendship but also found family and romance as well. There's humor and so many tender moments.

The quintessential summer read. A story of friends through the decades, friends not only there for the good stuff, but to help you through the hard things in life. All the emotions with this one!!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this! A great beach read, book club read, & book to share with your closest friends.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.