I missed the July #Collaboreads link-up with Mr. Thomas and Me and Rachel A Dawson, but I’m back this month with another book to share with you.
This month’s topic was a book set during the summertime. I was scrolling through Instagram the day I read Rachel and Amber’s July link-ups and I saw a post by Courtney Walsh about her new book. The title? A Sweethaven Summer. And it just happened to be on sale for 99 cents. That’s my kind of coincidence, right there.
The Amazon summary reads: A faded scrapbook reveals secrets that reconnect old friends in a place called Sweethaven. Campbell Carter has come to Sweethaven in search of answers about her mother’s history. Just before losing a battle with cancer, Suzanne Carter sent letters to childhood friends from her hometown of Sweethaven, Michigan. Suzanne’s three friends — Lila, Jane, and Meghan — haven’t spoken in years, yet each has pieces of a scrapbook they made together as girls. Suzanne’s letters have lured them all back to the idyllic lakeside town, where they meet Campbell and begin to remember what was so special about their long Sweethaven summers. As the scrapbook reveals secrets from the past, old wounds are mended, lives are changed, and friendships are restored — just as Suzanne intended.
RIVETING. What part of this book could you not get enough of?
I read (skimmed?) through this book in just a few hours. It was chock-full of details, but not a whole lot of substance. Which was disappointing, because I so wanted it to be a great Christian fiction novel. I did enjoy seeing sparks fly between Campbell (the main character) and Luke.
ELEMENTS. How did you relate to/care for the characters? What’s your thought on the plot line?
I have never searched for my own father, obviously, but I imagine it would involve a lot more emotion than Campbell portrayed. The plot just didn’t have much depth. It was a good story, but it lacked the substance I tend to need in great books.
ASSOCIATE. What other books, movies, or tv shows remind you of this book?
I was reminded a bit of both Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. While this novel is faith-based, it has a strong friendship theme running through it.
DESIGN.
The cover design is completely appropriate for the story, but not the most interesting I’ve ever seen. I think it could have been “more”.
STARS.
3 out of 5.
The next link-up is September 28. September’s theme is a Back-to-School book. Choose a book and link up with us–you have an entire month!
This sounds so interesting! I loooove reading books about friendships and how they grow and change over time. Good recommendation!
Thank you!
Man, I always really wish that Christian fiction will be better…and it falls short. WHY. So frustrating! I, like you and Amber, loved the Sisterhood books, but have to say, I don’t think I’ll pick this one up! I need substance like you said…so oh well. Hope you love your book choice next month!
I know!! Maybe we should just write our own Christian fiction! Haha!
Bummer that you didn’t love it! It sounds a bit like the book I selected this month! I really enjoyed mine though.
I know! I’ll have to check out your review!
ALL THE SISTERHOOD BOOKS. I’ve always loved anything that is reminiscent of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books… And part of me thinks that’s because it was the first time I couldn’t get enough. Like I needed to know everything about all the books and where the pants went next and so on. I still look fondly on those books (and have them in a closet for our future children) because I just can’t imagine not being influenced by them so early on!
So thankful you joined!
Yes, yes, and yes!