The Summer That Shaped Us is an easy, heartfelt read with strong themes of friendship, healing, and self-discovery. The emotional depth is there, but at times, the execution feels uneven. Some character arcs are deeply moving, while others lack the development needed to make their journeys feel fully realized. The relationships at the heart of the story are compelling, though certain conflicts resolve a bit too neatly.

The writing is smooth and evocative, with a beautifully described setting that adds to the book’s nostalgic, reflective tone. However, the pacing can be inconsistent, with some sections feeling drawn out while others rush through pivotal emotional moments.

While the novel doesn’t always reach its full potential, it’s still an enjoyable read with plenty of heartfelt moments. Fans of character-driven contemporary fiction will appreciate its themes, even if they wish for a little more depth in the storytelling.

This isn’t going to be for everyone - there are plot holes and fast paced timing that makes you question the believability of the plot - BUT if you adore a summer story, family strife that depeens their loyalty and second chance romance, pick this up. This book was sweet, had hallmark traits and a happy ending. A great summer read that I did enjoy for its simplicity.

This was an easy but great read! This is a book that I’m sure many people can resonate with, myself included. After a lot of hurt & loss, having a Hobby Island would truly help a lot of people heal & move forward. Really enjoyed this one! Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

This a light easy read with a few quirky characters. Joy my favorite by this author, but interesting enough to finish. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

A satisfying read of family, love , second chances and a bit of a mystery . The island sounds like a amazing place to be and definitely a crafters paradise . hoping there will be a book two , I loved all the main characters .

What a great story. If we could all have a Hobby Island in our lives, just think how much better we would be. So many feels and so much growth for the folks who are lucky enough to visit or live there. I loved it!! You just might get some surprised too! I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

You know the author has written an awesome novel about a place that makes you feel like you just want to move there! The Summer That Shaped Us is just such a novel. Hobby Island is not just named for Eloise Hobby but for what the island represents. Old hurts, deception, coming of age, truths revealed and mistakes are woven into the heart of the novel with a very satisfying ending. If you love crafts and are looking for an adventure, don’t hesitate to pick up and enjoy the ride!

I received a free copy of, The Summer That Shaped Us, by Lori Wilde, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Hobby Island, is where you can go and relax and do your crafts and hobbies. You have to be invited to the island, you just cant show up there. Luna and her daughter have been invited to Hobby Island, after the loss in their family. This was a good read.

Lori Wilde's The Summer That Shaped Us offers a heartwarming and emotionally resonant story about three generations of women finding healing and hope on the magical Hobby Island. Jeanie, her daughter Luna, and granddaughter Artie, each reeling from recent tragedies, are invited to spend the summer on this vibrant island, known for its colorful charm and the enigmatic billionaire heiress, Eloisa Hobby.

What immediately captivated me was Wilde's vivid descriptions of Hobby Island. The lush imagery, from the jacaranda trees to the characters' outfits, truly brought the island to life and created a sense of place that felt almost magical. It's a setting that becomes a character in itself, contributing to the overall atmosphere of healing and transformation.

The story explores the complex dynamics of mother-daughter relationships, the challenges of grief, and the importance of self-belief. Each of the three women embarks on a journey of self-discovery, confronting their pasts and learning to embrace the future. Jeanie's hidden secrets add another layer of intrigue to the narrative, keeping me invested in their intertwined stories.

Wilde's writing style is engaging and easy to read, making this a perfect escape for anyone looking for a feel-good story with depth. The pacing is well-managed, allowing the characters' emotional journeys to unfold naturally. I particularly enjoyed the insightful quotes from Eloisa Hobby at the beginning of each chapter, which added a touch of wisdom and reflection to the narrative.

While the story is primarily focused on the women's personal growth, there's a hint of romance woven in, adding another layer of sweetness to the mix. The ending leaves the possibility of a sequel, which I would eagerly anticipate.

Overall, The Summer That Shaped Us is a delightful read that will resonate with readers who enjoy stories about family, healing, and second chances. It's a heartwarming and hopeful tale that reminds us of the power of connection and the importance of believing in ourselves. Four stars.

I am an avid reader but don not believe I have read any of Lori Wilde books. That being said, I struggled to get through this book. the writing does not exactly flow right and the story line was a little strange but enough to keep my interest most of the time. Nothing spectacular stood out, this seemed like an average chick lit fiction novel, but I do appreciate the chance to have access to an advanced copy.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon & Harper for the eARC.
I did not like this book at all. The way it was written was so childish, and awful. The names of things were so childish for a novel that was supposed to be for adults. Not to mention there’s a POV of a literal child, which was super annoying and terribly written. We do not need acronyms like “AF” in books. In addition to the childish writing, there were also random spicy scenes, that were cringey, and easily ruined. Not to mention the whole plot is written around family drama that was resolved in just a few pages. There was no point to it at all.
This felt like a book that was written for a teenager, and it was not a good read. I would not recommend to a friend.

The story was well written. I loved the characters and the way they developed. I read this in about a day and a half it was a quick easy read

The Summer that Shaped Us by Lori Wilde was a nice casual read. Great to bring to the beach or cozy up in front of a fire. Definitely with a bit of drama , which at times was a bit too much for me. There was also an air of mystery, sabotage, forgiveness and second chances. Thank you to the author, #NetGalley and #Avon & Harper Voyager, Harper Collins Publishing for the Arc book. This is my honest review.

This book had a lot packed into it! It is about 3 people who gradually give their story and show how their experiences shaped who they are. Obviously the title is very fitting for this book! It was a pretty easy read that I managed to get through pretty quickly.

I enjoyed the premise of this book but struggled with the 0 to 100 of certain characters - the development suffered to me

The Summer That Shaped Us by Lori Wilde. This book was chalked full of different characters. It was a little too whimsical for my taste. A little too choppy I guess you could say? It had alot going on and felt like it was all being crammed into one story maybe? I do think that their are readers out there that do enjoy this kind of writing. It just wasn't for me. But I am still glad that I read it. Everyone is different when it comes to books and writing. So I would definitely recommend this book to people who enjoy this type of writing. Just not my cup of tea... It was meant for someone else. Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest review. Happy reading y'all!

I enjoyed The Summer That Shaped Us. It is a light, cozy read centering around a Mother, Daughter, and granddaughter. They go on an island retreat. Each of them brings their share of emotional baggage, which is unpacked at a good pace.

I am just......so confused and a little lost.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my personal opinions. I will be upfront, if this wasn't an ARC, it would have been a DNF for me at 15%.

I am 99% confident that an AI Bot wrote this. No way would an author write with the style that Lori wrote with. The plot line didn't make sense; very intense and life changing betrayal were resolved in a fourth of a chapter with a quick "I am sorry, can you forgive me?". It just felt so off and so forced. I couldn't get past how the characters just moved through their time there with nothing but happy feelings. For example, the Luna lost her husband a year ago and sees her high school love on the island. Within ONE conversation with him, she's running back to her mom saying she's basically in love and she wants to try because something is still there.....all of it weird.

The style was over the top peachy perfect. It is so hard to describe the writing style unless you read it.

Lori Wilde delivers a heartfelt, emotional story about love, friendship, and the power of second chances in The Summer That Shaped Us. This book beautifully captures the nostalgia of summers past while weaving together a story of personal growth and healing.

The characters are layered and compelling, each carrying their own burdens and secrets, and I loved watching them navigate their relationships and rediscover themselves. Wilde’s writing is immersive, pulling me right into the coastal setting and making me feel every emotion along the way.

If you love stories about rekindled friendships, emotional journeys, and a touch of romance, this book is definitely worth picking up!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

#BookReview #LoriWilde #TheSummerThatShapedUs #ContemporaryRomance #WomensFiction #BookLover #MustRead #EmotionalReads

I usually don't read books like this but I wanted to give it a try. This story explores emotional growth and finding closure within family. These characters are forced to confront old wounds and find their way back to the people they once were—or perhaps discover a new version of themselves altogether. I love how you really get the feel of the small coastal town. Getting into the lives of two characters whose pasts are marked by heartache and regret. It’s a summer of second chances, healing, and finding hope in unexpected places. Made me think about learning how to Quilt lol