One of the best coming of age stories out there. This book explores many different complex themes in a realistic, yet compassionate ways. The author will have you rooting for each of the characters in their own messed up way, knowing not everyone can have a happy ending.

Fifteen-year-old Aurora has spent her life moving from town to town with her single mother, Laine, who always runs when things get tough. When Laine returns to Monroe, Indiana, after her father’s death, Aurora expects another short visit, but things soon change. Laine starts an affair with a married man, and while her mother falls for someone she can’t have, Aurora begins to fall in love with the town. She forms real connections, making friends and even catching the eye of the pastor’s son. But as Laine’s unstable relationship grows more consuming, Aurora fears her new life will end in heartbreak. Laine’s choices threaten to burn everything down, leaving Aurora’s future in jeopardy.

The beginning of this book was a little slow paced for me and I was worried I wasn’t going to like it but as I kept listening, I became more interested and invested.
Overall I think it was a great book and would recommend.

I loved the relationship between Aurora and Gran and was happy with the ending.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Release date 2/11/25

It’s only the beginning of March but I’m nostalgic for those long summer days.
This story leaves me emotional. A main character that wants something solid. Something, someone, anything that will stay put & be there for her!

Rating: ★★★★ (4/5)

End of August is an atmospheric and introspective novel that blends history, mystery, and personal transformation. The book’s rich prose and layered storytelling make for an immersive read, pulling readers into its evocative world.

The protagonist’s journey is compelling, and the themes of memory, loss, and resilience are thoughtfully explored. The author’s attention to historical detail adds depth, though some narrative threads feel slightly underdeveloped. While the story builds toward an emotional payoff, a few moments don’t land as powerfully as they could.

That said, the writing is undeniably beautiful, and the novel lingers in the mind long after the final page. Fans of reflective, character-driven storytelling will find plenty to enjoy here.

A Beautifully Written Coming-of-Age Story Full of Heart and Reckoning
Paige Dinneny’s End of August is a poignant, emotionally rich coming-of-age novel that explores the complexities of family, love, and belonging. Aurora Taylor is a deeply compelling protagonist, navigating the push-and-pull of a life spent in motion and the yearning to finally put down roots. Dinneny captures small-town life with vivid detail, weaving a story that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful. With beautifully drawn characters, lyrical prose, and a narrative that tugs at the heartstrings, End of August is a must-read for fans of bittersweet, character-driven fiction. A stunning debut that lingers long after the final page.

Title: End of August
Author: Paige Dinneny
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: February 11, 2025

I received complimentary eARC and ALCs from Alcove Press and Dreamscape Media via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted

T H R E E • W O R D S

Nostalgic • Layered • Complex

📖 S Y N O P S I S

1979. Fifteen-year-old Aurora Taylor’s single mother prefers to leave when things get hard. She’s spent years abandoning bad boyfriends and dead-end jobs, without so much as a glance in the rearview mirror. After fifteen years in the passenger seat, Aurora needs more than two hands to count the towns she’s lived in. She’s learned to live small—it’s easier to leave when you don’t need to say goodbye. So when her mother Laine shows up at school with the car loaded, Aurora assumes her latest fling has run its course. Instead, it’s her grandpa Jay’s death calling them back to the town Laine has spent fifteen years running from.

Every visit to Monroe, Indiana ends in an explosive fight. Her mother and her Gran are oil and water, and it doesn’t take Aurora long to realize Gran has fallen off the wagon—again. With Gran drinking, and Laine’s discomfort in the little blue house, Aurora gives their visit a week, tops. But when Laine begins an affair with the town’s married mailman, everything changes. While her mom falls in love with a man she can’t have, Aurora has time to fall in love with the town. Her life begins to feel full—she has a friend to call her own, a gran who loves her, and a picture-perfect pastor’s son who sees Aurora as more than “Laine’s daughter.” It’s everything she never let herself dream about.

As the summer months march on, and her mom’s happiness becomes even more dependent on her unstable new relationship, Aurora worries the dream she allowed herself will end in heartbreak. This isn’t just another map dot on their endless journey, and Laine won’t just burn a bridge this time. Her choices threaten to light the town on fire, burning Gran’s hope, Aurora’s future, and her own chance at redemption to the ground with it.

💭 T H O U G H T S

The synopsis for End of August caught my attention, so I was grateful for the opportunity to receive a copy ahead of publication. It took me a bit longer than I expected to get to, but there are so many books and only so much time. The fact this is a debut novel was another bonus, as discovering and supporting new authors if something I strive for.

Set in 1979 in the small town of Monroe, Indiana, the narrative follows the complex dynamics of three generations of female characters. There is Aurora, the 15-year-old daughter; her nomadic mother, Laine; and Gran, who is grieving the death of her partner and struggling with alcoholism. The characterization is fantastic. The intricacies of weaving together the complexities of each relationship between mother/daughter is well plotted and Aurora's self-discovery thread is laced in nicely.

Dinneny does a wonderful good job capturing the realities of small town life and the essence of the time period. I have heard stories of my own mother sitting with her grandmother to watch the soaps, so that aspect felt so wholesome. I also appreciated the sobriety storyline, there appears to be a trend in this trope of late.

The audiobook narrated by Renee Dorian kept me engaged and interested. She was able to capture the emotion and voice across each of the characters. The pacing and clarity of her voice made for an enjoyable listening experience.

End of August is one of those quiet, slow paced novels where the characters wiggle their way into your mind. Part coming-of-age story, part family drama, it is the relationships which really make the story. The writing could have used some additional fine tuning, it remains a solid debut from Paige Dinneny and I will look forward to reading more from her down the road.

📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• Ask Again, Yes
• multigenerational stories
• complex family dynamics

⚠️ CW: toxic relationship, domestic abuse, child abuse, abandonment, death, grief, alcohol, alcoholism, mental illness, infidelity, sexual content

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"The sadness she carried with her was hers and hers alone."

"Not that you can plan for death, really, but this was her life taking a hard right when she was hell-bent on it going straight."

Very seldom do you find a good book that doesn't fit in a certain genre. You have your thriller, romance, horror, and inspiration readers and they usually don't like to venture away from their favorite genre I have had a couple library patrons say that they would like just a really good genre free fiction book. I have never had many to recommend . I can now add another one to that very small list . Great job Paige Dinneny!

this was a lovely read! thank you netgalley for the advanced audio book copy. this departed from my usual suspense but i’m so glad i received this. it was perfectly descriptive and really immersed me in the story. loved it.

I can’t believe this was this author's debut novel. It was fabulous and I can’t wait for what may come next. We meet three generations of women. Gran, Laine and Aurora. They’ve lived hard lives, but at their core love each other. Leaves one to wonder if that is always enough. Gran has just lost her beloved husband so Laine and Aurora yet again pack up their lives to see her. Laine is a woman in constant search of love and validation from a man and any man will do. Aurora wants nothing more than to stay in one place and have more than a few cartons of belongings that fit in their broken down car and make some real friends for once in her short life. It’s a beautifully written story about them all figuring out how to co-exist, find their way and figure out what they each want. This was a spectacular book. The narration was wonderful and added to the experience of the story.

End of August introduces us to 15-year old Aurora, her mother and grandmother. Aurora is very wise for her years having grown up surrounded by her mother’s fleeting relationships and her Gran’s alcoholism. But despite this, Aurora herself is a likeable character who has her head screwed on. She wants more from life and she wants a place to call home.

I loved the close bond that Aurora shares with her Gran and the way in which they comforted and confided in each other. The audio narration by Renee Dorian kept me engaged with the story. I was very aware of how she portrayed the emotions of each character so well, across the family generations and between the genders.

Whilst I liked the concept of the story and the excellent characterisation, I found the pace of this book a little difficult. It was a slow read and felt rather drawn out, waiting for action in the plot and the impact.

I received a complimentary audio copy of this book from the publisher, Dreamscape Media. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

End of August by Paige Dinneny

End of August is a heartfelt and evocative story set in a small town in Indiana during the 1970s, delving into the complexities of multigenerational trauma and the resilience of family. The novel centers around fifteen-year-old Aroura, who, along with her single mother, Lane, is on the move yet again. As the story unfolds, we witness Aroura's longing for a "normal" life, something she hasn’t quite known, thanks to her mother’s tendency to leave whenever things get tough. This summer, however, brings the duo back to Lane’s childhood home, where they are welcomed by Lane’s mother, Gran.

The summer is marked by new friendships, first loves, and moments of self-discovery. But there’s also a deep undercurrent of tension, as Lane struggles with her repeated mistakes, finding herself drawn into yet another toxic relationship. Throughout it all, Aroura and Gran form a beautiful bond, united by love and the shared goal of keeping the family stable.

The novel is beautifully written, with a narration that feels as though Aroura herself is sharing her story. The author captures her sweetness, her kindness, and the subtle but profound way she sees her family — flawed but undeniably full of love. It’s a portrayal of family life that many can relate to, especially those who’ve grown up in less-than-perfect circumstances but still hold onto hope and affection for each other.

End of August resonates with readers who have experienced similar struggles, offering both a mirror to their past and a sense of comfort. The complexities of family dynamics and the themes of personal growth and resilience are handled with grace, making this a truly moving read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

Aurora Taylor is 15 years old and has lived in 18 places with her mom Laine. Laine was a young teenager when she had Aurora.

The two of them go home after the passing of Taylor’s step grandfather and they stay for the summer. Taylor likes living with her grandmother and getting to know the town and actually making some friends. Her mom starts an affair with a married man. I loved the character of Aurora. Great audiobook. I highly recommend it.

This is an interesting coming of age, multigenerational woman-focused book that explores many typical family dynamics. There are moments I enjoyed, and overall I enjoyed the plot and the story. I felt some of the descriptions very…specific? Almost like someone would be describing a scene in a play, versus really IN the story if that makes any sense. I never felt transplanted into the story and didn’t feel any depth to any of the emotions, which should have been overflowing with the type of difficulty and tragedy all the women were experiencing. Perhaps that’s why this was overall just OK for me. I think the narrator did a good job, I could definitely hear the “teen” in her voice! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

This was such a good “coming of age” type story. There had been a cycle for this family, and she finally had the guts to stop it (atleast her part).

This was very well written. The characters felt familiar and likable and even though mistakes were being made; you had a deeper understanding of the reason why.

4-1/2⭐️
First, a big thank you to NetGalley and DreamScape Media for the opportunity to listen to an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

End of August is a beautifully written, character-driven coming-of-age novel that completely pulled me in. It follows Aurora Taylor, a young woman who has never known stability thanks to her mother’s habit of fleeing whenever life gets difficult. With no real sense of home or belonging, Aurora has spent her life as more of a sidekick to her mother rather than a child being raised and nurtured. This aspect of the novel felt incredibly relatable—especially to those of us Gen-Xers who grew up as latchkey kids with absent parents, figuring things out on our own while longing for something more.

When Aurora and her mother return to their hometown after her grandfather’s death, she’s suddenly faced with a choice: continue keeping her distance from people and places or allow herself to finally form real connections. One of the most compelling relationships in the book is between Aurora and her Gran, a quirky yet deeply caring woman who struggles with alcohol, especially after losing her husband. I appreciated how the novel handled Gran’s drinking—not overly dramatic or abusive, but rather a long-standing issue that adds another layer of realism to Aurora’s journey.

While the book is rich in detail, sometimes it felt a bit dense, but that never took away from my emotional investment. I truly cared about Aurora’s story and where it would lead, and that kept me engaged until the very end.

I think this novel would resonate with a wide range of readers, from high school students to adults, especially those who enjoy stories like The Secret Life of Bees—tales of young women navigating complicated family dynamics while finding their own path. If you’re drawn to coming-of-age stories that explore resilience, identity, and the longing for belonging, I highly recommend End of August.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Renee Dorian does a great job making the story come alive for the listener!

In 1979, Aurora Taylor has lived in too many places being bounced around by her nomadic mother who leaves when life gets hard. They return to the small town where Aurora's mom grew up to attend her stepfather's funeral. During their stay, her mother, Lane, is up to her usual tricks of men and partying when Lane makes a predictably bad mistake and plans to head out on the road again. Will Aurora join her?

This is a coming of age, domestic drama that is multigenerational. Aurora has to navigate her nomadic mother and her alcoholic grandmother while trying her best to grow up and find stability. This is a very well written, domestic drama that features small town life and a lively group of characters. Highly recommend!

https://www.instagram.com/cats.and.pages?igsh=MWQ1ZGUxMzBkMA==

Thank you to @dreamscape_media for the advanced audio copy of End of August by: Paige Dinney.

I'm a little behind on this review, but here it goes anyways:

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I saw so much potential in this book, but unfortunately, it did fall a bit flat. The writing was beautiful, and the journey of self-discovery and sobriety was adequately represented. However, the character development was not giving. The narrator did a great job in depicting the voices and emotions of the characters. I just wanted more emotion from this book and felt that the author could've done more to evoke those emotions.

#netgalley #dreamscape #bookstagram #bookreview

Paige Dinneny’s End of August is a poignant debut novel that delves into the complexities of family dynamics and personal growth. Set in the summer of 1979, the story follows fifteen-year-old Aurora Taylor, who has spent her life moving from town to town with her single mother, Laine. Their return to Monroe, Indiana, after her grandfather’s death forces Aurora to confront the strained relationships with her alcoholic grandmother and her perpetually restless mother. As Laine embarks on a tumultuous affair with a married man, Aurora finds herself forming meaningful connections within the town, offering her a glimpse of stability and belonging she has longed for. Dinneny’s compelling prose and complex characters create a narrative that resonates deeply, especially in portraying Aurora’s resilience amidst her mother’s selfish choices. This multigenerational tale is a testament to the enduring impact of familial bonds and the pursuit of one’s own identity.

“End of August” by Paige Dinney and brilliantly narrated by Renee Dorian is a tale set in 1979 and told from the viewpoint of fifteen-year-old Aurora Taylor who has been dragged around to multiple schools in her short lifetime, all at the whim of her mother. In her mother’s hometown for Aurora’s step-grandfather’s funeral, she wonders how long she will have before her mother uproots them again. The days turn into weeks as Aurora’s mother starts to carry on with the town’s married mailman. For the first time ever, Aurora makes friends and wonders what it would be like to become a family. She gets a job and even has her first date.

But Aurora knows that everything could end in a flash. Will she be strong enough when it does? This story reminded me a lot of a sadder version of The Gillmore Girls, but with a much more flawed mother and grandmother, who, nonetheless, love their daughter and granddaughter despite their weakness. Many thanks to Net Galley and to the publisher for an ARC of this wonderful book. My opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this coming of age multi generation family drama. Dinney's writing flows so well.

In 1979.Aurora Taylor’s single mother prefers to leave when things get hard. She’s spent years abandoning bad boyfriends and dead-end jobs, without so much as a glance in the rearview mirror. After fifteen years in the passenger seat, Aurora needs more than two hands to count the towns she’s lived in. She’s learned to live small—it’s easier to leave when you don’t need to say goodbye. So when her mother Laine shows up at school with the car loaded, Aurora assumes her latest fling has run its course. Instead, it’s her grandpa Jay’s death calling them back to the town Laine has spent fifteen years running from.

Every visit to Monroe, Indiana ends in an explosive fight. Her mother and her Gran are oil and water, and it doesn’t take Aurora long to realize Gran has fallen off the wagon—again. With Gran drinking, and Laine’s discomfort in the little blue house, Aurora gives their visit a week, tops. But when Laine begins an affair with the town’s married mailman, everything changes. While her mom falls in love with a man she can’t have, Aurora has time to fall in love with the town. Her life begins to feel full—she has a friend to call her own, a gran who loves her, and a picture-perfect pastor’s son who sees Aurora as more than “Laine’s daughter.” It’s everything she never let herself dream about.