I loved the story and the intertwining of the characters. Both Audrey and Jasmine were very relatable. The details really draw you in. It was well written and a great read but ended a little abruptly.

Thanks to NetGalley and Open Sky Publishing for the advanced copy!

This was a good story. I didn't love Audrey at first, but I fell in love with her throughout the story. I loved the idea that we touch people without even knowing/realizing.
I also LOVED the way that Jasmine tracked down Audrey's story. The pacing felt a little off for this story - the beginning stretched out, and the ending a bit rushed. But overall, I really enjoyed reading this and really wanted to know the ending of Audrey's story.

I did think the infertility storyline was unnecessary, as it didn't add anything to the overall story. I guess it gave Jasmine more depth or maybe a reason for a deeper desire for family?

Trigger warnings: infertility, child death, sibling death

Book review: 3/5 ⭐️
Genre: fiction
Themes: tragedy, identity, family legacy, fame

This is a rather sweet and nostalgic story of two women linked through a lost necklace and all the history it holds. It was chaptered through song and features the quaintness of small town American and the hopes of dreams. Part mystery, part coming of age and full of heart as a girl finds a personable way to fame.

Jasmine is in her mid thirties and all she wants is a baby, which is something that she just can’t seem to do. With family pressure and a general rhetoric that she is essentially failing at life, she sees something unexpected at a diner that drives her to search for a missing family heirloom and perhaps take her mind off of her fertility issues. Along the way she may just find another use for her voice and purpose in her life.

In the eighties, we have the young teen Audrey whose family is derailed after tragedy strikes with the death of her sister. Having rebelled against the confines of her new reality she ends up on a road trip with her father as punishment. She takes the chance to poster her photo on celebrity walls across the country’s diners because what Audrey wants most is to become a famous singer.

In many ways it documented how women of varying ages deal with the traumas in their lives. All the ways they internalizes hurts and fears, even if surrounded by a loving family. And within that lay a hope of who they were aspiring to be, a way to change their stars and be more.

Docked half a star because the author referred to Japanese Kintsugi as Chinese. It’s the small details that take me out of a story and in one that has an element of race and stereotyping it was a pretty blatant mistake that make me question how Jasmine was portrayed. I already had some issues with how her black matriarchs were represented. I didn’t think the motivation needed to be explicitly linked to slavery and repopulating. It would have been enough for them to want Jasmine to reach her potential, but to criticize both her infertility and her lack of profession on top of adding the guilt factor of family not being able to do so in the past seemed excessive. They also seemed a little dogmatically old fashioned, while also claiming to foster a legacy of independent working women. A bit of a juxtaposition.

I did sympathize with Jasmine’s character and her trials, and I could easily see her being the black sheep in this big successful family. But I found her avoidance of conflict, especially in her marriage one that made nothing seem real in her life. I don’t think I quite bought her background. It was a little too one note with her baby obsession and the mystery seemed very easily solved. Even her journey to publishing was managed before she wrote anything, which seemed too convenient. It was not the event that would have precipitated a feeling of confidence given that most of the mystery was solved by her a researcher at her husband’s firm and her journal was published by a friend who could see that she needed a win. I just wanted her to stand up for herself for once and really find out who she is outside the identity of wife.

Audrey was equally single minded with that self centred aura of a teen. I thought her turnaround from sullen teen to appreciative and caring daughter to be a bit too fast. Though I did love all the little ways she showed kindness that ought to be remembered. All in all it attempted to narrate two very emotional issues - repeat miscarriages and potential infertility and death of a young family member. It was a bit sugarcoated and somewhat unmemorable to me, but these are still important stories that I believe many reader with connect with.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wendy Day for a chance to read and review this book.

The cover is absolute stunning and draws you in. Very reminiscent of Hollow Heathens cover. I love A dual timeline book but the teenagers POV was a struggle to put up with as an adult. Lots of the characters also grated on my nerves with their outdated belief system and why were they all so perfect and unproblematic, it didn't feel realistic. There was alsonlotsnof repetition and the lacing felt very off. Loved the 80s vibes though, that was a nice new timeoine for books that I dint often find.

This was a really good book. A story about two women, 30 years apart, both searching for purpose in life…both connected. Even though it had already been published, I was able to get it and I’m glad I did. Very inspirational!!

I loved the idea of this book - a dual timeline story about a girl traveling with her dad in the 80s and a Black woman following in her footsteps almost three decades later to find a missing necklace. But honestly, I'm still on the fence about this book. I loved the dual timelines, but Audrey's story was way more interesting to me than Jasmine's. And then the ending was so abrupt, giving no closure. Sadly, I didn’t enjoy this book; nonetheless, I appreciate the opportunity to have read it.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I have very mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, this is well-written and enjoyable women's fiction. I'm a reader who generally prefers literary fiction and so for me, this is saying a lot. On the other hand, I have qualms about a white woman writing a story in which half of the narrative (albeit a fictional one) is about a black woman's experience. (The other main character here is a young white woman whose mother once attended a civil rights march. Okay.) To provide some context for my perspective, I am a white female university professor who teaches a graduate seminar titled "Controversial Issues in Developmental Psychology." One of the issues we discuss is that of cross-racial adoption. Some of my students promote the view that "all you need is love." Others worry about issues of identity, culture and appropriation, even erasure. This particular story is not about a controversial issue. But I feel that the question of authorship in this instance is still a tricky one. I enjoyed reading this book, once I made the decision to give the author a fair chance to win me over. It held my interest throughout. There are many other good things to say about Ms. Day's writing, which others here have described. I probably wouldn't have offered to read this galley proof if I had known that I would have these qualms. A final comment: the title seems to me to have nothing to do with the story. Also, the cover is beautiful, but it's a bit misleading. Why portray the young white woman as dark-skinned? With blue eyes?

I love a book with a dual timeline/narrative and it worked so well in this book. I loved every second of reading it and will definitely be looking for more from this author

I feel ambivalent about this book. While Wendy Day has a clear way of writing that helps the reader understand whats going on without the need for too much background information, some of her writing felt forced and incomplete. I didn't love or hate the book. It was just ok for me.

3.5 stars rounded up

This book had potential. The storyline was intriguing, but the execution just didn't hit the mark. The chapters went back and forth between characters - Audrey from the 80's and Jasmine from 2017 - which made for a quick, fun read. But the characters' personalities were bland and took a lot of patience from the reader. Audrey's insistence on rebelling from her parents (which we later learned she had a reason) was bad enough, but then Jasmine's infatuation with pregnancy was god awful. Her obsession had the reader thinking that she only had half a brain. She's clearly a character with obsessions... and the need to do (or have) something where she feels rewarded. Her relationship with her husband was so superficial, it read fake.

But when it came down to the rating, I gave it 3.5 because there were some nice lessons to be learned in this book and it had a feel-good feeling. Audrey's chance encounters throughout the book were very sweet and all amounted to something in the end. And, again, I liked the concept of the book and thought the author did a good job keeping the story flowing while bouncing between characters.

Oh, and I love the book cover, but I really don't think the title has any significance whatsoever.

A dual timeline, dual pov book that will hold your interest. Although, I enjoyed the book it was at times a little flat. The characters were likeable, although not altogether real. I felt the book was interesting and honestly is the perfect beach read or weekend read in front of a fire. It's cozy, nice, easy and simple enough to read.

I truly enjoyed the dual ti.e lines involving the female characters-- Jasmine, Audrey. I was able to relate to Audrey, as I myself was a teen in the 80's. This was a story that I did not want to end. I experienced highs & lows, as well as laughs & tears.

Thank you to.Netgalley, Wendy Day, and the publushers for blessing me with the ARC copy.

It had potential, but it missed the mark in execution. The characters felt underdeveloped—Audrey was more likable, but Jasmine’s perspective was frustrating and hard to read.
Key moments lacked emotional impact, coming across as flat and unmemorable. The racial issues felt forced, as though included just to check a box, without adding real depth to the story.
While the premise was interesting, the weak characters and lack of meaningful engagement made it a disappointing read overall.

Audrey is an 80's teen whose only wish is to become famous. As she sets out on a summer road trip, she embarks on her quest for fame with some daring adventures.
Jasmine, in the present day, discovers a hint involving a long lost heirloom and begins her quest to find it. What she finds is a history of lives touched and paths forever changed.
This book will touch your heart.

This book is about Audrey, a teenager girl in the 80s and Jasmine, a woman in today's age. An old family heirloom gets their lives to connect.
At first, I was not a fan of Audrey, with her teenager rebellion and bad decisions. But the more you learn about her, the better you start understanding her. It is also heartwarming to see the amount of growth she goes throughout the book and the fact that she really was a caring and special person, and a good part of her attitude had to do with her grief.
With Jasmine, I feel like she had not really found her voice and it was easy to see how people had an impact in her daily life. I did like the fact that the book shows how much pressure women goes through during her child bearing years. It can be incredibly hard to deal with it, especially if you are dealing with infertility issues. The constant nagging from family and friends does not help and I wish her family was a little more supportive of her personal goals, rather than treating her as just a vessel to carry a child. Despite all that, she's determined to find out more about Audrey and in this journey you see how many lives were impacted by her, including Jasmine's, even if not personally.
The book was slow paced at first, but it gets your attention quickly once their stories start to develop.
Overall, I recommend this book, however, check for trigger warnings first. I can see this being a though read if you have infertility issues or has lost a child/sibling.

Thank you NetGalley, Wendy Day and Open Sky publishing for proving me a copy of this book in exchange of my honest and unbiased opinion.

Summer 1987: When rebellious 16-year-old Audrey is forced to ride shotgun with her dad on a six-week cross-country sales trip, she’s sure her summer is ruined. But with the help of her best friend, she is determined to make the best of it. In her thread-worn backpack is a stack of black and white photos she plans to hang in diners wherever she goes- adding herself to the walls of fame. After all, she knows she’s going to be famous someday. But becoming famous isn’t the same as leaving a legacy.

Summer 2017: Thirty-four-year-old Jasmine needs one thing to complete her almost perfect life- a baby. Facing family pressure and a ticking biological clock, getting pregnant is her primary focus. Then she stumbles upon a black and white glossy photo tacked up on a diner wall amid a field of famous faces. The girl in the photo is wearing a unique necklace Jasmine recognizes as a family heirloom, lost by her Granny years before. As Jasmine sets out to find the girl and the necklace, she discovers that the best-laid plans are often written in sand.

The cover on this caught my attention. It's absolutely stunning. If you enjoy women's fiction, you will enjoy this. The dual timeline works well, and following Jasmine's story from different points of her life give us a deeper understanding of who she is and how she became that person. Highly recommended if you enjoy literary/women's fiction! 4⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

AND THEN IT WAS SEPTEMBER - WENDY DAY

If you're looking for an emotional yet heartwarming story that has fun 80s vibes and a solid set of mysteries at its core, I think you'll love And then it was September. Here's a synopsis:

Come for the 80s vibes. Stay for the story. A missing necklace, a backpack full of photos, and two women trying to outrun their families' expectations.

Actually, a blurb is what you'll get because the less you know about the storyline, the more enjoyable it is. In a nutshell, the book follows two perspectives: Audrey in 1987 and Jasmine in 2017. The first timeline is an ode to the 80s in some ways, and music is a big focus.

Chapter over chapter, the characters are carefully constructed, giving us a real sense of who they are and their current situations. Both are very much on a journey, and there is overlap between them and what they experience. Even though I would describe this as a lighter read, some heavier themes are explored so check the TWs at the end.

There are numerous mysteries to solve too, which helps to set a good pace right up until the end.

I had a few issues with this read; there was quite a bit of repetition, some issues felt oversimplified and one character continuously acted beyond her age. The big moments also felt a bit rushed. Lastly, this book is unequivocally filled with good characters. I personally like a little more shades of grey when it comes to characterisation.

But for anyone looking for something that's light, engaging and heartwarming, this one's for you. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for my copy of this book.

Review score: 3/5

TWs: infertility, miscarriage, d*ath, illness, natural disasters

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing an ARC of And Then It Was September.

This book starts on a high note with its creative structure: each chapter is tied to a playlist, offering a unique glimpse into the characters and setting the tone before the story even begins. I loved this idea—it instantly gave depth and flavor to the narrative.

Wendy Day’s writing style is engaging, balancing character exploration without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary exposition. The story alternates between two timelines, and while both are intriguing, I found Jasmine’s storyline more compelling. Her perspective as a 35-year-old felt relatable, grounded, and emotionally resonant, (even though I'm closer in age to Audrey).

On the other hand, Audrey’s chapters—though they captured the essence of teenage struggles—felt a bit forced at times. The overuse of 80s slang in her voice detracted from the authenticity of her character, making her a bit harder to connect with. Despite this, the contrasts between the two protagonists add richness to the narrative, and the interplay between their stories keeps the book interesting.

The relationship between Jasmine and Tyson stood out as a highlight—well-written and believable, full of subtle emotional beats that make their connection feel real.

Overall, And Then It Was September is an enjoyable and unique read with a strong structure, a vivid writing style, and characters that draw you in, even if some aspects don’t hit quite as well. Fans of dual-timeline narratives with a hint of nostalgia will appreciate this one.

4/5 stars.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the two timelines of 1987 and 2017. Both Audrey and Jasmine were well written and it was so well thought out. I couldn't put it down once I started it. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you Net Galley ARC

There were so many things to like about this book - dual timelines (1987 and 2017); dual POVs; a Southern setting; and a mystery to be solved.

If you grew up in the 80s (or were a teen or young adult in the latter part of that decade) and loved that era's music and pop culture, then this book will fill that 80s niche for you.

The chapters alternate between the voice of Jasmine, a 34 year old wife and yearning mother to be, and Audrey, a 16 year old who has been forced to travel cross country with her salesman father for the summer.

The mystery hinges on Jasmine spotting a family heirloom necklace on a 30 year old black and white glossy picture of Audrey on the wall of some Southern diner. Jasmine is certain it is the same necklace made by a beau of her Granny's 50+ years ago, which had been lost at a Civil Rights march,

It's a fun ride tracking down stories and identities from the past in a pursuit for the necklace.

Thank you, NetGalley and Open Sky Publishing, for the opportunity to jump into this eye opening jaunt. And, what about that gorgeous cover?