A gorgeous cover! I was drawn to this book. The story was a bit too whimsical for my liking. The characters were cute and the setting dreamy. Overall, I thought it was an average read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a very different story but I really loved it. Eloise Hobbs lived on Hobby Island, a crafters island. Paul, part of the family was there to set up security for the island and keep it that way. He did a lot of other things too. Jeanne was invited to the island on the golden ticket and brought her daughter Luna and granddaughter Artemis with her . Plus some of the crafters that they felt may in on the scam of Jeanne for over $100,000.00 See if Paul can catch the scammer. When Luna gets to the Island she runs into Paul , her first love, You will need to read how that goes and also the one thing that Jeanne did to break them up, Luna was helping Jenne with the theme for the quilt and Nannette had stolen and used as used as her own and then the person who scammed her is there too. There is also the friendship of Artemis, Luna's daughter and Orion, Paul's daughter. so much going on but a GREAT READ,

I am an avid hobby person. A ton of different types of crafts peak my interest. This book is a prefect read for someone like that. I fell in love with the characters and the island. If only a destination like this truly exists.

Not the best. It was a little too quick and just kind of a strange story line. I get it was supposed to be slightly whimsical but it came across sort of empty.

This was such a great read! It was cute and the cover really attracts you to the book. The book has strong character development while making a relatable plot.

Lori Wilde is a must read author for me. Her latest, The Summer That Shaped Us was an amazing read, as I was anticipating.

I loved this book!! From Luna and Paul's story to Jeanie's stories of personal growth and showing grace as she was wronged by Nannette and Sharon. Artie and Orion had a great friendship and it was great to see them become sisters. I liked how the tale unwove at the art competition and we learned who was behind slashing the quilt. I recommend this book for anyone who likes light hearted books about personal growth, reunited love and friendship.

I absolutely ADORE this story! I would love to go to a place like this for readers!!! This island where you have everything you need to be comfortable & make in person, human connections, without the distractions of the internet and social media, where people are held accountable for their actions and challenged to overcome their issues. This was just what was needed for Jeanie, Luna & Artemis. Their family had been turned upside down and inside out. They all had anger issues & problems attacking these 3 generations of women, causing them to lead restricted lives. The island and Eloisa, gave them "opportunities" to address & attempt to understand why they behaved the way that they did, as well as to declare that they wanted to change. Also, a former love interest for Luna, led to even more revelations. The only thing that I didn't like was too much " sexy time". I am hopeful that there will be a next book which will be about the character who appeared at the end of the epilogue. Bring it on!!!!

A very cute and fluffy story. Definitely a summer read. I've never read anything by Lori Wilde before, will be doing so in the future.

Thank you to Lori Wilde, NetGalley, and Avon Publishers for this arc of The Summer That Shaped Us, out April 22, 2025!

📜Quick Summary: Billionaire Eloisa Hobby created an island that’s mixed with a little bit of magic dust…everything is brighter here, things taste better, you’re at ease. And when Jeanie wins a Golden Ticket to Hobby Island, she takes her daughter Luna and her granddaughter Artemis on this two month adventure. An avid quilter, Jeanie hopes to win the grand prize to help with some debts she has from a dating app scammer gone wrong. Luna is also dealing with debts from her late husband’s gambling. Childhood drama and an intricate relationship between the three generations of ladies will cause them to look at this trip as a way to heal, to grow, and to ultimately trust one another again. Told through different viewpoints, this tale allows each character to show their side of the story.

❣️Initial Feels: Hmm…the writing so far doesn’t seem to naturally flow for me. Eloisa seems to be an eccentric character so far, and I bet her Island will match her personality.

👀Trigger Warnings: trauma, death of spouse, alcoholism

🙋🏼‍♀️Moving Character: Artie has to put in the work to find herself this trip, after dealing with grief from losing her father, and watching her mother deal with his hidden gambling debts. Her life hasn’t been easy, and she was determined to find herself, process her grief, and become the young woman she's meant to be. Dealing with a family that harbored secrets which then affected her can be a great deal of pain.

📖Read if you want: little bit of mystery and romance, accepting the past and new beginnings, working through past trauma

🗨️Touching Words: “Scissors cut, but they also shape. Choose your cuts wisely.”

“Be the quirk in the quilt. Stand out.”

💡Final Sentiments: The cover was beautiful and vibrant, just like the setting of the novel. Although this wasn’t my favorite family drama novel, I thought it was a quick and easy read. If you’re looking for a lighter (even with the deep topics) read that doesn’t have too much character development, this is for you. I really enjoyed the small quotes at the start of every chapter by Eloisa. Nothing spectacular stood out, this seemed like an average chick lit fiction novel. I feel like this could definitely touch reader’s who are dealing with or have been touched by the various trigger warnings, and that many will enjoy it. The odd touch of this island is that they all had their own rooms, and were assigned an “Auntie” to watch over them. I thought that was a bit odd.

🌟Overall Rating: 3.25 stars

This novel was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

I felt that The Summer That Shaped Us was just not the book for me. It was ok and I liked parts of the book, but there were other parts that I didn’t care for.

I enjoyed the setting and descriptions of Hobby Island. I could picture it in my head and it made me want to go to a place like that. I also liked the relationships, community, and competition on the island.

Something I didn’t care for was how a major, pivotal thing happened years ago and was resolved so quickly. It was just very unrealistic and unbelievable. The mystery element of the book was also barely there and it could have been so much more. The pacing just felt off and everything felt rushed.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All opinions expressed above are my own.

I enjoyed the cute, whimsical vibes of this book, especially the mystery elements surrounding Rex’s identity and the sabotage of Jeanie’s quilt. However, I felt that some aspects of the story were rushed. For example, we definitely brushed over the fact that Jeanie sent an innocent kid to jail. I was also worried that Nanette stealing Luna’s designs would go unresolved, but I was relieved that it was addressed in the end.

Another issue I noticed was that all the characters shared a similar voice, which felt unnatural given their different ages and backgrounds. For instance, I wouldn’t expect three women from different generations (or Paul) to all use the phrase “loosen the apron strings”—a phrase I’d never heard before this book, but suddenly everyone’s saying it! It made the dialogue feel overly formal and robotic at times.

Finally, am I supposed to know who Demetra is or was that a setup for a sequel?

This book had its charms, but these issues made it a bit harder for me to fully connect with the story.

Overall this was a cute, simple read! At times I found myself bored, or not as interested as the story should have been, but I enjoyed it overall!

This is a story about family, love, forgiveness, and second chances. It takes place on a beautifully described private island. I enjoyed the crafting aspect and contests. I liked the women supporting each other aspect even though not everyone was good natured. For the most part, the book had likeable characters with current everyday problems. This book is a quick, easy, and enjoyable read.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Fun read! It kinda gave me Jenny Han vibes with the setting. The characters were super likable and i have honestly no criticisms.

The Summer That Shaped Us had some engaging elements but ultimately fell a bit short for me. The story explores the lives of three generations of women, each facing their own struggles. I appreciated how the book tackled themes like forgiveness, growing up, and coming of age, weaving them through the characters’ arcs. The second-chance romance added a layer of complexity, and the mystery subplot helped to keep the narrative moving.

That said, while the themes and tropes were interesting, the execution left something to be desired. The pacing dragged in parts, and I didn’t feel as connected to the characters as I hoped to. While I enjoyed aspects of the story, I wasn’t fully invested in the outcome.

This is a book I might pick up again if I were in the right mood, but it wouldn’t be at the top of my list. If you enjoy multigenerational stories with a mix of romance and mystery, it could be worth a read, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

I enjoyed this book, it was a quick read.
I love the showcasing of complex relationships between mother and daughter. The description of the island and the people was well thought out and immersed me into the book.

It’s definitely a cozy and entertaining book for the summer!

Get ready for a 'Wilde' adventure as fans of Lori's books will enjoy her latest read. Traveling to Hobby Island, guests will be swept away by the shelter the retreat provides. As adult 'Golden Ticket' winners, the summer season will be a quilter's paradise.

Luna's family is struggling to make ends meet. Jeanie was a victim of a catfish scheme that swindled her savings. Winning the $100K would afford the family to keep their home. Growing up without a solid foundation, Luna finds it difficult to connect with and trust people. When she learns of Paul's sacrifice, will she give love another shot?

Thank you to the #NetGalley and the publisher for an early edition of #TheSummerThatShapedUs in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed the family dynamics and life lessons the island provides. While I understood why Luna was so prickly, she was unlikely character. I found myself rooting more for Jeanie and Artemis rather than the protagonist.

The Summer That Shaped Us is a charming story about three generations of women who are invited to spend the summer at a quirky artist’s private island. The invitation is too good for Jeanie to pass up as she has fallen victim to a scam and she takes her daughter, Luna, and granddaughter with her. Luna and her daughter, Artemis, are devastated and looking for a way to start over and move on after Luna’s husband passes away and they lose their home. The island is filled with the most intriguing characters and tons of activities to keep them occupied. Things heat up when Luna’s past and present collide which adds to the debate on if fate exists. The idea of the island having the power to heal what ails you is inspiring and intriguing. It was an enjoyable story, but I feel like it was missing that hook that would normally keep me reading nonstop.

I was hopeful for a magical island and crafting but I was so bored. The characters were so surface level and the story so slow.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.