“The Best Summer of Our Lives” by Rachel Hauck – Book Review

“The Best Summer of Our Lives” by Rachel Hauck

Bethany House Fiction

Review copy

My rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

About the Book:

My Thoughts:

“The Best Summer of Our Lives” – that was the plan for four friends, Summer, Autumn, Snow, and Spring in the year of 1977. But it didn’t exactly go according to their plans. Life rarely does, right?

This book is a coming of age story of each of the four girls. They did a lot of growing, all of them. Their bond was stretched and tested a great deal, and even when they fought as teenagers, I liked seeing how they could work it out. Yes, things definitely changed for them, and they went through desert seasons, each of them. But you really could tell how it shaped and changed all of them.

To be honest, I did have a bit of a hard time connecting or relating to Summer. She wasn’t my favorite character, but at the same time, I could appreciate seeing how life and all its events affected and altered her. Her story is the focal point of this book, and she probably did have the biggest transformation testimony at the end.

I really liked Spring and her story particularly. And I related more to Snow and Autumn. They each complimented each other in great and necessary ways, and I did really like the Four Season’s unique friendship. They experienced a lot of ups and downs, but I really enjoyed seeing them together. And that includes Baby Season, Greta’s part in it too.

I’d call this an “Experience-book”. You know, one of those novels that you really experience more than just read. Where you live inside the pages, not just for a visit but as if you reside among the characters, their stories.

The summer of 1977 was a full and crazy one for the Seasons, but it was also really good and brought them each to the place they needed, I think.

I really like the author’s writing style so it was a pleasure to read another of her books!

I received a complimentary copy from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review.

“The Secret to Happiness” by Suzanne Woods Fisher ~ Book Review

The Secret to Happiness by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Book Two in the Cape Cod Creamery Series

Revell Publishing

My rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

About the book:

Escape to Cape Cod–where you just might find the secret to happiness

Callie Dixon had the world by its tail . . . until it all slipped away. Fired from her dream job after making a colossal mistake, she’s escaped to her aunt’s home on Cape Cod for time to bounce back. Except it isn’t a home, it’s an ice cream shop. And time isn’t going to help, because Callie’s bounce has up and left. There’s a reason she made that mistake at work and she’s struggling to come to terms with it.

Things go from bad to worse when Callie’s cousin Dawn drags her to a community class about the secret to happiness. Happiness is the last thing Callie wants to think about right now, but instructor Bruno Bianco–a curiously gloomy fellow–is relentless. He has a way of turning Callie’s thoughts upside down. Her feelings, too.

Could Bruno be right when he says that hitting rock bottom is the very best place to be? If so, how is that supposed to help her find exactly what–or who–has been missing all along?

My Thoughts:

It was a delight to return to the Cape Cod Creamery in this second novel in the series! Not only do we get to know a new character, Callie, but we also get to read more of Dawn and Marnie’s stories who we became familiar with in The Sweet Life.

I loved Callie. Her personality at first was…BIG. But as I kept reading, I discovered so much more, so much depth, realness, hurt, and beauty too. 

Callie has gone through a lot – and has hidden a lot of pain from those around her so that she gives off the image she thinks is expected. She’s always thought herself a happy person, but when a series of events occur in her life, she starts to question if she really is as happy as she thought…and what is the secret to happiness?

I really enjoyed this novel, especially the aspect of how the make-up of our brains play a great deal into the happiness we search for. I loved the emphasis of looking for little good things throughout the day – could be anything. It was a good reminder. I love all things about the study of the brain and how it affects our personalities, etc. and so I was delighted to find that sort of insight in this novel. 

The novel gave me food for thought, but also enjoyment as I got to know each of the characters more deeply. Little Leo was still as precious as he was in the first book, and I loved getting to know Bruno Bianco as well.

Dawn could be a little strong-headed at times, but that was true to her personality for sure, and I appreciated seeing her relationship with her cousin Callie transform and learn from each other.

The faith strand in this book is light, but present. It also deals with illness, MS mentions, and depression. I thought each of these subjects were handled very well.

All in all, I really enjoyed this story!

I received a complimentary copy from the publishers. I was not required to give a positive review.