We need more cute, queer, YA romances especially with disability rep. I loved how Andrea stood up for herself in the face of ableist or negative comments. The romance was also so sweet!

Things I loved about this book: Andrea‘s spirit. She is such a lovely character and characters like her are so so so important!
Sadly, I didn’t connect with the story. I felt like a lot of things were too rushed, sometimes Andrea would start packing for something and I had to go back thinking I missed something only to discover a timeline of her activities wasn‘t really mentioned.
I was confused for most of the book and while I really enjoy close friendships (turned romantic love), the bond between Andrea and Hailee just felt a little bit off to me.
This could very well be a me thing, not a book thing.

3*

While this book was advertised as Young Adult, it felt written for a younger age group, perhaps middle school? The idea of the book was sweet and I liked it, but it felt like reading my own diary from way back when, not a redacted Young Adult novel, hence only the 3 stars.

I did very much enjoy the bisexual/queer representation and normalization so that's why I still gave it 3 stars. If this book will be marketed to a younger crowd, it would be perfect.

Thanks Levine Querido & NetGalley for providing met with an ARC in return for an honest review.

This felt more like a middle grade novel than a ya novel to me. A few aspects I love, such as the representation.

The cover art is what initially drew me to this story! The colors are absolutely eye catching. Next, the title promises intrigue. The story, did not disappoint at all. It was a wonderfully inclusive coming of age story.

a super cute, loveable YA romance with bisexual/queer representation, perfect for summer time!! the story was super cute! its always nice to see queer love stories

Unfortunately I had to DNF this story. The writing style was not for me. I appreciate the opportunity and apologize for not being able to complete the story. I wish the author the best of luck!

This book is perfect for a teenager. Being 25, I wasn’t able to love this story as much. I found all of the pop culture references to be a bit much, and the jokes fell a bit flat. Andrea was not a MC I could really love. I disliked how she treated her friends. Also, George is such a horrible guy. Picked that up with the first wink at her. Gross. I wanted more story, more groveling, more character development.

I found this book a little hard to get into. Being YA, I was excited to enjoy the ease of a fun, summer read. The characters lacked depth to me and I found the communication a little flat.

It was sweet, warm hearted moments, but ultimately not something I’d reach for again unfortunately.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This book felt silly. Despite being able to connect with the character's disability and her specific set of challenges regarding disability, the writing was poor and the dialogue was very weak. It missed craft and bones.

Embarking on the journey promised by 'The Secret Summer Promise,' I couldn't help but feel a bit underwhelmed. The BSE (Best Summer Ever) list seemed like a fantastic recipe for an unforgettable time, and Andrea Williams, with her vibrant personality and cerebral palsy, was poised to be a captivating protagonist.

The story unfolds with Andrea and her crew gearing up for a summer of excitement, ticking off items from their list, from blueberries to a Lizzo concert. While the premise holds promise, the execution left me wanting a bit more depth. The character dynamics, especially Andrea's internal struggle with her feelings for best friend Hailee, felt somewhat predictable, lacking the complexity that would have added a layer of authenticity.

Keah Brown, known for her insightful writing, introduces us to a cast of characters in the backdrop of a nerdy queer love story. The narrative, however, occasionally falls into the trap of stereotypes, and some characters could have used more development to fully come alive on the pages.

Despite these reservations, I recognize that 'The Secret Summer Promise' might be a perfect match for readers seeking a light-hearted summer read. The blend of adventure, romance, and self-discovery could resonate strongly with those who enjoy breezy narratives and charming characters.

In the end, my experience might be a matter of personal taste, and I believe this book could find its way into the hearts of readers yearning for a sweet, easygoing summer tale.

Review: The Secret Summer Promise ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Author: Keah Brown
Publication Date: 06 June 2023
Publisher: Levine Querido
LGBTQIAP+ | Romance | Teens & YA

I received this book from Keah Brown and Levine Querido, as an advanced eArc for my honest review any opinions that come from this review are my own. Thank you to both the Author and the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

First off I want to say that I loved the diversity in this book, this was a coming-of-age story that celebrated self-discovery, friendship, and what it’s like to truly accept and embrace yourself for who you are. It read a little immature for me but I pushed through and I am so glad I did. This story moved my little heart, it was comforting, beautiful, and full of diversity which I loved. It was a wonderful lighthearted romance book and I really enjoyed it.

This was a cute coming of age story. At times I became annoyed with the MC but had to remind myself she’s a teenager. My daughters loved it

I requested this for consideration for Book Riot's All the Books podcast for its release date. After sampling several books out this week, I decided to go with a different book for my review.

I decided to DNF this book because it was just not my vibe. I really loved the BIPOC, queer, and disability representation but it read SO YOUNG. Like there were parts where I felt like a middle schooler wrote it and I felt like the characters were a lot younger than 17.

The cover is super, super cute!

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this one!

3.5 Stars Rounded Up
I received an advanced copy of The Secret Summer Promise by Keah Brown from the publisher Levine Querido via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What It’s About: Andrea Williams and her friends made a Best Summer Ever list of things they wanted to do over the summer. But Andrea has just figured out she’s bisexual and she may be in love with her best friend Hailee. Scared of losing her best friend, Andrea sets out for a secret goal, fall out of love with her best friend.

What I Loved: I loved the found family element of this book. The way that Andrea’s family and friends are so connected is just really lovely to see. I also loved that the way Andrea’s chronic illness was written and the way it didn’t define her but also she was open about the challenges she faced and knew that she was a badass. I also really liked the little love story and Hailee, I totally bought the chemistry. Love a queer romance!

What I Didn’t Like: The book reads a bit young for the age period, and this might be the audio experience but it did read younger than juniors in high school. I also felt like some elements were a bit unbelievable, like her family dynamics seem a bit stretched (like the amount of freedom and final decisions she has as her age).

Who Should Read It: People who are searching for a queer romance with a lead with chronic illness.

Summary: A young girl worries about her friendship when she falls for her best friend.

After reading the description, I was very excited to read this title. Once I delved into the pages of their story, that excitement waned, and I was unable to finish. Will pick up again one day.

I had a hard time reading this book as I got an ARC and the editing needed some work. A lot of spaces were not there, the first chapter started right after the dedication and the acknowledgements were the same after the book ended. Also no chapters which made it really hard to read. But I wanted to finish the book so I did.

I'm not the core audience for this book so I had some trouble getting into it but this is a cute YA summer read. Lots of rep and some fun parts. I'm sure it'll find its intended audience.

An ARC was provided to me via Netgalley in return of an honest review.

The Secret Summer Promise is like a reality television show with all of the drama and backstage storylines. OMG! A lot has already dropped when we begin and it’s crazy. Keah Brown gives us a story about friendships more than romance. How do we fail people? How do we not listen to each other? The blinders we have on others' lives while we are living our own - especially if we are going through what we consider to be our biggest trauma.

Brown takes us on a deep dive of emotions, but especially those dealing with expectations, jealousy, and fear. I just kept shaking my head and saying is it really as superficial as Andrea is perceiving it to be. Summer is filled with life lessons here where some take sides, but most of the time the secondary cast just tries to be supportive. Kudos to the friend group because the ladies do not make it easy for them.

The Secret Summer Promise is a young adult angsty read about friendship with some romance thrown in. I went down the rabbit hole and Brown gave me a good time.