Book Review

Before I get to the good stuff, this book deserves some cover love!

I love the style and fashion of this era (not necessarily the values). I spent many years wearing a distinct Rockabilly look and sometimes I miss it. Unfortunately, victory rolls, pencil skirts, and Bettie Page bangs are a tad impractical at this juncture of my life. But, I can still appreciate it.

The Summer Letters (Release Date: April 22, 2017)

When Vanessa finds a rusty coffee can filled with old letters hidden away in a summer beach cottage, she learns of a haunting and secret affair dating back to the 1950s.

Determined to find the woman whose life parallels her own in many ways, Vanessa searches for the woman and her lover, uncovering past and present secrets that finally reveal a shocking truth.

Over the course of the summer, Vanessa’s own life is transformed by the possibilities of love and new beginnings, even as she confronts the lingering pain of her own past.

The Summer Letters is a celebration of the enduring promise of hope and the unbreakable bonds of love.

Add to Goodreads

My Thoughts…

This story starts in the present with our main protagonist, Vanessa. A writer who has recently divorced and is looking for some quiet time to lick her wounds and work on her next book. Essentially, find some closure. Instead, she finds a mystery, and her writer’s nature refuses to let it go until she finds out what happened.

I love books that jump back and forth from the present to the past. Sometimes, they can be confusing, but a good writer will know how to do this effectively, so the reader can easily follow the timeline. In this case, the author(s) knew what they was doing.

I really enjoyed this book. The circumstances Vanessa investigates are shrouded in so much mystery, it’s actually pretty difficult to predict the ending. Which of course, is wonderful! The characters are interesting too and they really run the gamut. Some you will love, and some you feel, get exactly what they deserve.

Obviously, a good book can be read any time, anywhere, but The Summer Letters is a fabulous choice for the beach or cottage this year, so you can live and breathe the same feelings and smells as the characters in this wonderful story.

Rating… B+

Available on Amazon

About the Author

Elyse Douglas is the pen name for the husband and wife writing team of Elyse Parmentier and Douglas Pennington.  Elyse began writing poems and short stories at an early age, and graduated with a degree in English Literature. Douglas grew up in a family of musicians, astrologers and avid readers, and attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, playing piano professionally for 15 years. His great-grandfather lived to be a 134 years old, and was the oldest man in the world when he died in 1922.  Their cat, Sir Eaton, loves parties and a few sips from a good glass of Pinot Noir.

Some of Elyse Douglas’ novels include: “The Other Side of Summer,” “The Christmas Eve Letter,” “The Christmas Town,” “The Christmas Diary” and “The Summer Diary.” They live in New York City.

Elyse Douglas | Facebook | Twitter