Loved this romantic teen historical fiction novel set in WWII. I have a fascination with the polish pilots that volunteered for the RAF during WWII. Their bravery and determination has always inspired me, so it was wonderful to read about them in this book. And the romance was adorable!

2.5/5 rating

great source for historical fiction, lack of emotive characters, character development, loose plot. I'm usually super into anything WWII related and I'm into certain time period fictions, but this just missed the mark for me.

I'm not much into romances, but I've developed an interest in aspects of WW2 that have been unknown to me until recent years. Polish RAF pilots among them thanks to this book! I see Britain is finally owning up to having turned their backs on them for about 70 years....about time. Politics and politicians...one wonders what's being hid from us these days...
Well, this was a quick read, I am sure some young adult will pick up the book and find it to be a new favorite. It's insightful and may well be representative of wartime. If nothing else, it could lead to some YA doing research into WW2. The book was engaging, and covered the times well. Those interested in historical fiction will likely enjoy it.

Good book. Good author. Loved the characters and the plot. Look forward to reading more of her work.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review, apologies it was not done sooner and better. I loved the book, though, and bought a physical copy of my own!

The Burning Summer is not the most exciting and thrilling book, but it does keep you interested! It features a wonderful Olden feel to the age and the characters. It was relaxing but also kind of slow.

I'm afraid this book wasn't for me. Thank you for giving me the chance to review it though.

Not my kind of novel, I’m afraid. Sometimes you just don’t click with a writer’s style, despite alovely idea

It’s the summer of 1940 and Peggy, 16, younger brother Ernest, 11, and their mum have moved in with Uncle Fred and Aunt Myra, sheep farmers in Romney Marsh on the Kentish coast not far from the English Channel. Their father is gone, and Ernest thinks he is fighting in the war, but Peggy seems to know something more about where he is and so do the townspeople, who threat them with some amount of disdain.

Ernest is a bit of a neurotic boy, and like many, he's afraid that the Germans are going to invade any minute. He has gotten hold of the leaflet “If the Invader Comes…” issued by the War Office, which, rather than shoring up his courage, only makes Ernest more fearful.

Out riding his bike one day, Ernest sees a plane catch fire and crash land. When he reports it, as per the leaflet, everyone assumes it was a German plane that was swallowed by the marsh along with the pilot. But during the night, Peggy wakes up and discovers the injured pilot hiding by the henhouse.

It turns out the pilot, Henryk, is a Polish refugee who is flying with the RAF. Peggy decides to hide him in an abandoned church, and brings his clean clothes that belonged to her father, and some food. Henryk doesn’t want to return to the RAF, he has lost is love of flying, and has decided he just can’t fight anymore. As his story unfolds, Peggy learns about his escape from Poland after the Germans invaded, his travels to other countries to fight, and the loss of his family, including the tragic death of his three younger sisters.

Ever vigilant for invading Germans, Ernest eventually finds out about Henryk. As he gets to know him, he’s really torn - wanting to like Henryk but disturbed by what he believes to be Henryk’s LMF or Lack of Moral Fiber. Ernest has been bullied ever since arriving in Romney Marsh and worries about his own LMF. In his need to prove his courage, Ernest’s wavering leads to all kind of dangerous complications for Peggy and Henryk, who meanwhile are finding themselves attracted to each other.

That Burning Summer is told from the alternating points of view of Peggy, Henryk, and Ernest. It begins with a copy of the leaflet from the War Office, and each of the seven chapter begins with the instructions of what to do in case of an invasion, instructions that are reflected in Ernest’s struggles with his fears of an invasion, his own possible lack of courage, and later with his feelings about Henryk. I though Syson did a masterful job of weaving each instruction into the unfolding of Ernest's story without making it sound forced.

But this is really Peggy’s coming of age story. Unlike her friend, Peggy doesn't really have feelings about boys, and certainly not about her own sexuality. Readers watch as she discovers her developing feelings for Henryk, and becomes aware of her budding sexuality. Besides the coming of age theme That Burning Summer also explores ideas of courage, cowardice, family, and loyalty in all her characters.

It is not a well-known fact that many Polish pilots flew for the RAF after their country was invaded and Syson brings how it came about nicely as Henryk's story unfolds. In addition, Syson includes interesting everyday details about wartime life in a small village, and a sub-story about where Peggy and Ernest’s father really is and why, along with a mystery as to who is sending cruel notes to their Mum. Another sub-story concerns an opportunistic bully who seems to know just how to get under Ernest’s skin, adding realism and depth to the novel.

The novel really only covers the events of the summer and early fall of 1940, but there is also an epilogue set in 1946 that brings readers up-to-date with Peggy and Henryk's fate.

That Burning Summer is a historical fiction novel that should appeal to readers who are interested in WWII, and especially those who also like a touch of romance.

This book is recommended for readers age 14+

When I first heard about this book, I figured it was going to be a little bit like Summer of my German Soldier (did anyone else have to read that in middle school?). So I was pretty excited for it considering this one is set in Britain and I was curious to see how different it would be. Instead, it's about a Polish pilot and British girl brought together in a very different way than one might expect.

Told from three different perspectives Henryk, Peggy, and Ernest.

Peggy while young and sheltered is now trying to learn more about what's happening to her country and her family, but her mom and aunt try to protect her and keep her away from what is truly happening around them. While they want her to grow up, they also don't want her to lose her innocence and hope for the world. This is something that annoys Peggy, and she tries to do everything she can to try and show them she can handle what's happening.

Then we have Ernest the naive and extremely nervous young brother. He is so focused on following all of the new rules that the government is putting out to try and keep the people protected, that he forgets them which makes him even more nervous. He is also having to deal with bullying because of something his father has done, that he doesn't know about.

Henryk the Polish pilot whose plane has gone down and he is terrified and unsure of what to do now. He doesn't want to fly anymore, but he knows he can't leave the service either because of how needed pilots are and because of where he has come from.
This is when Peggy and Henryk meet and even though Peggy is afraid of him because she doesn't know about Polish pilots working for Britain and because she thinks he could be a spy. Sadly for her, he's not a spy, instead, he is just a young man far from home that believes he has nothing left of his old life.

Overall I did enjoy this story, sadly it just wasn't what I was expecting and let's face it recently we've been spoiled with very complex WWII stories. This one is more of just a quick and easy read that teaches you about something that has never been talked about in a YA novel before.
The main reason this book didn't work for me though, is because I never grew attached to the characters, it's just like they were there and that was it. We read about the struggles and the possible dangers they were facing, but you never feel scared for the or worried about the life changing consequences they could face.
I did find it absolutely fascinating to learn about Polish pilots and how they continued on even after their country had fallen to the Germans and were willing to fight for any allied country that would take them.

Review will be published on July 10th, 2017

In this historical fiction story, we are brought back in time to the second world war, where the Brits are fighting against Hitler. Here we meet Peggy, who's living in the countryside of England, and a young Polish pilot Henryk, who is on the run from the war, having crashed his plane nearby. Peggy helps Henryk find a place to hide so he doesn't have to go back, and we watch as their relationship blooms. We also get to explore Henryk's history within the war and his fear of going back to see more death, his reason for deserting the British Air Force. There are many elements to this story: betrayal, love, and a bit of action towards the end; switching constantly between the perspectives of Henryk, Peggy, and Ernest (Peggy's younger brother).

Altogether, I want to grant this book 3 1/2 stars, because I did quite enjoy it, especially as a fan of anything based around the second world war. To me though, it seemed to drag quite a bit, and had many elements that I could predict happening, but there were many things that I didn't expect at the same time, so it had a nice balance. And thankfully it had the right amount of the love too, seeing as I'm not huge on romance novels. This one doesn't touch on it too much, but you can still feel the love between the two.

This coming of age read set in the 1940's tells a story about growing up, and coming of age during a war through the eyes of Ernest, Peggy, and Henryk.
Ernest and Peggy are adjusting to life with their cousins and aunt, in the English countryside, Ernest is especially conscious of the threat of a German attack and is eager to do something for his country.

Peggy finds downed Polish pilot Henryk and hides him in a church because he is weary of war and doesn't want to go back. Peggy and Henryk become friends, and he tells her of his sisters home in Poland.

Peggy, Ernest, and Henryk all share a summer that will change their lives forever.

This is a story told from three alternating points of view as it followed each of the main characters, which I really enjoyed because I felt like it really helped me to understand each of the characters. This book is well planned in that it has fast paced, short in length chapters that really kept the pace clipping along, which I enjoyed.

Peggy is a compassionate young woman, with a big heart, she sees Henryk and knows that she wants to help him, and heal his hurt. Henryk and Peggy don't let language be a barrier for them as they get to know each other and find in each other a kindred spirit.

Ernest desperately wants to be of service to make his family proud of him, but he is often conflicted, with everyone telling him what to do, and what he should do. But he is clever and quick witted.

I liked this book, it explores coming of age in wartime, and the many conflicting emotions that come when things aren't always black and white. Sometimes the descriptions would take me surprise, perhaps because of their rawness and how fitting it was, or other times sort of disrupted the flow, I don't know why it struck me that way, and it could be a personal thing.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

That burning summer is a really interesting story of a romance that develops between a British girl and a Polish pilot who she finds honest her home after he is forced out of his plane by parachute. I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop and seeing the world through their eyes particularly in the way he worried about being treated by others.
It is set in rural England during the Second World War. We are introduced to Peggy, a sixteen year old, who one day, during her daily chores, stumbles across someone who she does not expect to meet - a young Polish pilot named Henryk. Neither are sure whether or not to trust each other, but they do begin to bond until Ernest, Peggy's younger brother, finds Henryk and becomes suspicious. Not only are there obvious difficulties with knowing who to trust or not during a war, we also sometimes have to wonder whether one family member can trust the family member as there are is also an interesting subplot regarding Peggy and Ernest's father. I believe that the main focus of the story is intended to be the gradual building relationship between Peggy and Henryk, but there felt like there was a lot more to think about or to consider if you weren't actually interested in 'romance'.

I enjoyed the historical information about WWII that Syson included in the story and the experiences of the characters. Rather than feeling like the book merely took place during WWII, it felt like the characters were actually experiencing and living through the events.

I received this ARC from Skyhorse Publishing and Sky Pony Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book takes place in World War II and I have always liked reading books centered on that time era so I was pretty sure I would enjoy this one and I did for the most part :) I liked the characters from this book-especially Henryk-you couldn't help but feel a little sad for him at times though :/ At first, I did not know that this book would alternate between three points of view, but I really enjoyed that aspect of it! :D I thought that getting to hear Peggy's, Henryk's, and Ernest's different perspectives was really neat! For the past three books I have read, they have all been with alternating POV's and I didn't realize until now just how much I enjoy that :D Plus the chapters were shorter--some only two pages long lol :P which I actually like because I tend to be a slower reader and shorter chapters make me feel like I get through it quicker...not sure if that is true or not, but it feels like it XD There were a few things I would have liked not to be in the story, like the cursing, but I liked pretty much everything else :)

Peggy and Ernest are siblings trying to get through the war. When Henryk crash lands his plane in their town, the three must figure out their bravery and relationships to each other.

I struggled to get into this book. The characterizations weren't particularly good. The beginning was slow and the end was too quick.

It took me a couple chapters to get into the story and get used to the writing style. Once I did I really was drawn into the characters lives and the chaos of war times. I felt the paranoia and despair and longing for better days. I loved the flashbacks of Hendryk's past. The action scene near the end was very enjoyable. I think the epilogue could've been better as it only left me with a vague sense of their future and what they had been up to for 5 years.

If there is one type of books that I love, it is romance, throw in a little bit of World War 2 drama and I’m hooked, sadly with this book it missed the mark for me.
It had so much potential. A small English town on the South coast, a plane that crashed and a young woman who finds its broken pilot. She helps him to hide, and slowly but surely she discovers the story behind the Polish pilot. With a younger brother who is coming with terms with the war, Peggy and Ernest are inseparable, and the two hide the secret of the fallen pilot.

Personally this book dragged a bit for me, and the ending felt completely rushed. There was parts where even though the author was dealing with a fascinating story line, I was bored and waiting for something to happen. The whole book felt that way.

Another thing that really bothered me was the fact that the relationship between the two potential lovers felt forced.

I am sure that there are a lot of people who would like this book, sadly for me, it won’t be on my list of favourites.

I received this book for free from the publisher via Netgalley for review consideration. This in no way affected my opinion of the book, or the content of my review. I want to thank NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

I am loathe to do this, because the premise sounded so interesting. I loved the idea of getting to know more about a relatively undocumented portion of an extremely documented time - Polish airmen who participated in the war efforts from both French and English soil after the German Reich overtook Poland. What I ended up getting was a lot less than I would have liked - the characters all felt wooden to me; their motivations at best murky and at worst beyond my scope of care.

The story is told in multiple POVs: Peggy, the 16yr old female protoganist that finds the wounded Polish airman; Henryk, the aforementioned Polish airman; and Ernest, Peggy’s 12yr old brother who is obsessed with his doing his civic duty during the war. At times, this writing style helped the story; I’ve always loved multiple POVs and the better understanding of each character it affords the reader. However, in this particular instance, it only made me all the more aware of the underdevelopment of each character.

If you are in the search of compelling Young Adult WWII historical fiction, I would heartily recommend Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, The War That Saved My Life by Kimberley Brubraker Bradley, or Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys – all three affected me profoundly as a reader.

A good read. Well written. I fell in love with the characters.