About The Summer of Me
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (April 19, 2016)
The national bestselling author of Delilah’s Daughters and The Amen Sisters returns with a moving story about a single mother who, in one unforgettable summer, discovers the woman she can become.
As a single mother, Destiny makes sacrifices for her children—including saying good-bye for the summer so they can spend time with their father and stepmother. Though she’ll miss them with all her heart, the time alone gives her an opportunity to address her own needs, like finishing her college degree. But Destiny’s friends think her summer should include some romance.
Destiny doesn’t want to be set up . . . until she meets Daniel. The handsome, warm, and charming pastor soon sweeps her off her feet. But is romance what she really wants? Or needs?
As the days pass, Destiny will make new discoveries—about herself, the man she’s fallen for, and the people around her. And she’ll face challenging choices too. But most of all, she’ll grow in ways she never imagined, learning unexpected lessons about trust, forgiveness, and the price of motherhood . . . and becoming the woman she truly wants to be.
Angela Benson’s The Summer of Me is inspirational and romantic and full of everything that makes a great beach read. The main character, Destiny, is likable and easy to relate to – even for someone like me who’s about as opposite from her as you could get. She’s an African-American single mom who’s trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life; I’m married with no kids and so white I can’t even tan. But Destiny and I – we bonded anyway. In fact, if she were a real person and not a fictional character, I think we would be friends.
There was a lot going on in The Summer of Me – several plot points – but they all come together to shape some defining moments for Destiny. From the issues with her ex and his wife to her issues with her mom to her own financial issues, Destiny has a lot on her plate. Then, this new potential romance nudges in along with suddenly more jobs than she knows what to do with… and then she decides to go back to school! But it never felt overwhelming and it all flowed together naturally and kept the story moving.
Bottom Line: The Summer of Me is a book you can read in one sitting, but it’s a book you’ll be thinking about long after. The characters will work their way into your heart, and the story will keep you turning the pages to find out what happens next. Angela Benson has crafted an enjoyable and inspirational novel that’s perfect for your next vacation read or even just next weekend.
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
My Rating: 4 stars / Liked it!
(Reviewer’s Note: This is a general market book and has a couple of very minor profanities but is otherwise perfectly clean.)
HarperCollins | Amazon
Angela Benson is a graduate of Spelman College and the author of fourteen novels, including the Christy Award–nominated Awakening Mercy, the Essence bestsellerThe Amen Sisters, Up Pops the Devil, and Sins of the Father. She is an associate professor at the University of Alabama and lives in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Find out more about Angela at her website and connect with her on Facebook.
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When an author can make you relate to someone with completely different circumstances than you, I think that’s a real gift!
Thank you for being on this tour!
my pleasure!