Thirty years ago, the Lawson and Wylie families shared a beach house on the sands of Destin, Florida, for three glorious months a year. When a falling out happens between the two families, the paradise vacations come to a sudden halt, leaving many unanswered questions and a decades-long estrangement.

When a twist of fate puts the home back into the lives of one of the families, newly modernized and now twice the size, it sets a reunion between the two families’ teens ( now in their 40s and 50s). Deciding to share the home for one more season, the old friends experience a catch-up time of love and loss, old hurts, buried secrets, dreams, and more. But when a diary is found that chronicles the seven summers of the past, they are once again found in jeopardy of losing the few setos they had made to building their friendships again.

Ok – full disclosure. I love a cover like this. It makes me think of friendships and beautiful beachy settings… perfect for this time of year.

I did not realize going in that this was a series ( let alone seven books) or I would have likely passed due to the time commitment to an unknown series to me. However, book one flowed so nicely and was a nice distraction while I do yard work; book 2 came as a pleasant surprise.

As this is a series – and I do not want to write separate reviews for each book – I am going to just keep rolling here with each book: a brief synopsis and what I thought.

So that said –
Book 1: a 4.75 out of 5. Loved the setting and the family happenings. The reuniting of the two families’ teens at the time of the fallout, now in their 40s and 50s, I found refreshing – the author did not dumb down this age, which is SO APPRECIATED. I have read many a book where the characters in their 50s/60s are described as frail, easily tired, come off as weary, dated, unable to understand technology, or out of touch, which is annoying, as that is not the circle of people I hang with ( a group of us just went rollerskating last night!)

I enjoyed the characters and was pleasantly surprised when I reached the end to find out that it continues, and I jumped right into the next…

The Summer We Danced – Book 2

As the diaries reveal some past hurts, there are ( of course) some hurdles. More family is introduced, and we meet Crista’s 7-year-old daughter, who struggled with dyslexia, just like Tessa, which is a good connection for the families.

A little romance enters the picture for Vivien, and secrets come to light. Tessa steps into a role she hopes sje is ready to take- but for Tessa, getting her act together has been a long time coming.

My thoughts on Book 2: 4.75 out of 5. The storyline is still engaging, and I enjoyed the two families’ dynamics as they get to know one another again.

The Summer We Made Promises – Book 3

Vivien finds herself torn between two very eligible men. Maggie and Jo Ellen – (Moms of the crew) are trying to find some sort of foothold on their shattered friendship that neither really has the details of what happened, as both their husbands have passed away. Protecting a promise they each made, even while they know it does not make sense.

Lacey takes Tessas trust through the wringer when a BIG secret between the two is leaked due to someone trying to be helpful.

My thoughts: 4 out of 5 rating. Still good and enjoyable, but admittedly, some are a little predictable and annoying. The friendships and wanting to know what will happen keep me going.

The Summer We Kept Secrets Book 4

Jonah learns life as a young dad and getting his act together not only for the family he wants, but for himself. When his sister makes an unexpected appearance with her own secret, the family is once again turned upside down.

Tessa is stepping into a new chapter ( very quickly IMO – but I guess that’s how I roll too, so let’s go!)

Maggie and Jo Ann set off on an adventure that is healing and hilarious.

My Thoughts: 3.5 out of 5 rating. Still good, and I am enjoying getting to know the families more and seeing what will happen. My rating drop – just the stretched out story lines – still good reads.

So, this is the 4 books I have read. While 7 books total (I just learned this), the 5th will come out on audio June 30th of this year.

Will I listen? Most likely… cause I want to know. 🙂