Oh my days! I really don't know how to review this book!! The Summer of Impossible Things is just stunning! The premise is unlike anything I have ever read before. The characters were immensely relatable and the flow was just beautiful. The summer of 1977 was fun to read about as I was born that summer not too far from where to book takes place. I adored Luna and Pea. I loved every single second of this stunning story!!

Sisters Luna and Pia travel from the UK to Bay Ridge in the Brooklyn area of New York following the suicide of their mother. They visit a lawyer to wind up their mother’s affairs and set into action the process of selling her childhood family home now jointly owned by their mother Marissa and her sister Jessica. They are taken to visit her home, now in decline after years of being empty and inherited after the death of her father years earlier. Still grieving for their mother, they are handed a box containing some personal effects that she had sent on ahead with instructions that they were for her girls; mementos of her past.
Filled with curiosity they examine the contents of the box in their lodgings later on and it is then that they stumble upon the devastating secrets their mother had kept from her family ever since she had fled from New York one dark night, eloping with her boyfriend Henry, her soul mate and eventually their father. What they find rocks their world and marks the start of Luna’s quest to try to change the events of bygone years and alter her mother’s past so that she will not spend all of her married life loathing herself and wracked by crippling depression and the black fog of guilt, her peace of mind destroyed and estranged from her family back in Bar Ridge.
If you can go with this magical story and suspend your disbelief in the idea of being able to travel back in time just to alter the circumstances of a single night filled with terror and angst, then you will love this emotional and thought provoking story. The characters are wonderfully crafted so that they reach out and melt your heart. If your own beloved mother needed your help to save her life, you would do almost anything to give her a chance of happiness, just like I would. You would right the wrongs that were done to her in the blink of an eyelid, and this is what Luna set herself the task of doing once she finds out that she has special abilities enabling her to slip back to 1977 and put things right. I loved the dual time frame aspect of this story, taking a glimpse of Marissa’s father’s business and her mother’s childhood home and her fascinating lifestyle. This was cleverly set against the hustle and bustle of modern New York City life, thirty years of life and living later.
The story is not quite that simple though, because there are no guarantees that Luna will be successful in her quest or that she will not be time-locked in the past, never to see her family again. There are many possibilities set against much impossibility and this story will keep you feeling edgy and nervous as it is so wrought with tension. There are also some stunning and unexpected twists and turns in this fast moving story about justice, relationships and sacrifice. I particularly loved the story of romance between Marissa and Henry and in the modern day story of the close and supportive relationship between the two sisters. Aspects of this novel were very thoroughly researched further adding authenticity to it and I thought the ending was very cleverly conceived and very satisfying.

Firstly I want to say this is only the second book of Rowans I have read, the first being We are all made of stars, and I expected the summer of impossible things to be along the same lines - how wrong i was! Any time travel books i have read in the past have all been in a dystopian or a sinister context so I thought this was really refreshing that the time travel aspect was being used for good and also for the lengths of which any one of us would go to, to save our family. Rowan is a fantastic writer, almost magical I would say. I love to read her books and this is summer must read!

I have seen so many tweets about how fantastic this book is that I almost wanted to make it last but oh no. I haven't moved all afternoon as I have had to finish this book ( I am now quite sunburnt! ). This is a departure from her usual books but at the heart of the book is a great read. Luna is a great character no matter "when" the time is. All she wants to do is right a terrible wrong regardless of the effect it could have on her.

This is a sweet, summery story about family and the lengths one woman goes to for hers.

This is a beautiful book about love, loss, sacrifice and redemption, but the ultimate theme is the importance of family. The narrator moves through time to save her mother, but in doing so may cease to exist. Filled with memorable characters, this is a book where the characters are old friends and you miss them when the book is over. Perfect summer reading.

We are used to time being linear, the past happening before the present, the present before the future.  Although the past can influence the present and the future, and the present can also influence the future, it is not possible to alter the past to bring about a different present and future. 'The Summer of Impossible Things' challenges this concept.

Although the premise on which this novel is built is ingenious (as you see),  it took me some time to get into it, but then that might be me, as I'm not into time travel or fantasy of any sort.  The denouement that I expected happened at about 80%, but what made it all worth it was that, at that point, the storyline ratcheted up another gear, asking more questions and making more demands on the main character, some of them very difficult to resolve.

Rowan Coleman's literary style is stunning.  She describes everything and everyone in lucid, meaningful detail, even characters who only appear in one brief scene.  This story involves a long cast, but we remember who is who because of the good descriptions.  The names of characters were also distinctive - Luna, and Pia's nickname, Pea, which I thought delightful.  

A very emotional novel, this, although some characters needed development, Pea, for instance.  She started off as a fragile, recovering addict, and, although she seemed to grow in personal strength as the novel progressed, and we're given to understand that she did kick her addictions, we're not told how.

I completely fell in love with Coleman's writing style from the off. This is an engaging, thrilling and page turning novel that I would recommend to anyone.

I was intrigued by the description of this book and would not ordinarily read a novel that involved time travel - I wouldn't trust it to deliver. But Coleman is such a great story teller.

Told in the first person, Luna is the woman with a lot of tough decisions to make. We follow her neatly plotted journey through time, as she finds friendships, love, fear, secrets and lies along the way. We get a real sense of character not only of Luna but the supporting cast, too.. There is a wealth of amazing scene setting, well crafted tension and release moments, lovely dialogue and heartfelt moments.

This was a joy to read. Don't miss it.

After her mother’s death by suicide, Luna and her sister Pia journey from their British home to Brooklyn, their mother’s old home. She has left them a message about something which happened there in 1977 and badly impacted her life and future happiness. Strange things that happened in Luna’s childhood lead her to feel she is returning in time and to wonder if she can possibly alter her mother’s life.

This is a very well evoked time-slip story and brilliantly re-creates the year 1977, which I recall clearly. Luna has the opportunity to interfere in the timeline and save her mother from the disaster which befell her. It becomes obvious that if she is able to do this, she may damage or destroy her own future. The arguments for and against are well argued and the story is absolutely compelling. A real unputdowner!

A beautifully written novel. I loved the 1977 Brooklyn setting- raw, hot, dangerous but full of life and possibility. The optimism of Riss and her friends is beautifully highlighted, in spite of the restrictions they live with in 1970s Brooklyn. And then the inclusion of time travel and suspense, with a crime which must be prevented, at the cost of life itself? I loved the descriptions of Riss as a young woman and how what happens to her changes her life completely. It really made me reflect on how our personalities are affected by what is happening, around, and to us. Wow! This is a truly gripping read from start to finish and I couldn't see how the story would conclude. Would everyone survive? Would there be a 'happy ever after'? The twists in the story kept me gripped, hoping for the best for Luna and her family. Highly recommended!

Easily the most accomplished and impressive book that Rowan Coleman has ever written.

With every will in the world I was wasn't expecting to even like the book, and it was only due to it being written by an author that I greatly admire that I was willing to give it a go.

Let me explain, I like my fiction incredibly contemporary and always worry if I know in advance there is any history in the book, I am also very skeptical and knowing that there was a time travel element in the book worried me too. However I did know that if it was all dealt with in a way that didn't wrankle me that I would be fine. And somehow having now read The Summer of Impossible Things, and despite the story not fully being realistically believable in a real world sense, I don't think the book would have worked any other way.

In fact the main character Luna, does everything in her power to try and explain away what is happening to her, before fully embracing it, and instead of the book being confusing, I found it made complete and utter sense. I had the timelines straight in my mind, and ever what should have been a huge outlandish thing, was understated in a way that I can't fully explain.

This is a story that is far more than those first elements that I was obsessing over. It is a story about love, possibly the purest form of love, from a daughter to her mother and sister. The tale is beautifully written and drew me in completely, to the extent that I read the book in two sittings.

Even when I wasn't reading the book, the characters and what was happening was playing on my mind, in fact I dread to start another book at the moment, as nothing will be able to compete. I really can't explain the story, as I'm not talented enough to do is justice, for it really is a work of art.

From the start you are aware that Luna is a scientist and that the author must have put a fair amount of research, so that she could explain things about space/time and just how they work. Although I'm not sure how much understanding I have of it, even now it certainly led an air of intellect to the book.

Ultimately The Summer of Impossible Things is just that, it takes place in the summer, in New York, where Luna experiences the impossible, and aims to make a believer out of the reader. It is an absolutely brilliant book and I would suggest you put your own beliefs on hold, and give it a go, or miss out on something really special.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Ebury Press for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Let me start saying what a well crafted and magical story this is. It left me completely in awe, as it's like nothing I had read before. Rowan Coleman makes you believe that the impossible is possible and takes you in a journey like no other.

In the book, we follow Luna and her sister to Brooklyn after their mother's death, where they hope they will be able to understand her and her decisions better. And they are not wrong, as soon as they arrive, their connection to her intensifies, especially for Luna. For some inexplicable reason, she discovers that she is able to travel to 1977, the year that changed their mother's life forever. As you can imagine, Luna feels that she needs to change the past. But what consequences would it have in the present?

I had a great time following Luna in her adventures. She was a really easy character to love, full of heart and determination. And I loved discovering the seventies through her eyes. I could easily picture a disco obsessed Brooklyn getting ready for the release of Saturday Night Fever, the movie that would put them on the map. Luna's mother back then was also a force to be reckoned with, with a bright future in front of here. So I couldn't stop wondering, just as Luna, what had happened to her.

This is definitely a story that I want to read again, to enjoy every little detail. Actually, I finished reading it a few weeks ago already and it's still in my head. I suspect this story will stay with me for a long time and I have no doubt it will be one of my books of the year. Seamless writing, engaging characters and an original plot make this story unmissable. So do not hesitate to get a copy this summer.

The Summer of Impossible Things has a magical quality to it that Rowan Coleman does so well in her writing. Would you like to time travel back to when your parents were young? That's what happens to Luna when she travels to Brooklyn to settle her mothers affairs.

Thank you Netgalley for my copy.

This book is marketed as a modern day fix for those who loved The Time Traveller's wife and when I started reading it, thanks to NetGalley for sending me a copy, I thought that was a pretty bold statement to make. Now, hundreds of pages have passed me by in the blink of an eye because I could not put this one down and I'm sitting here having finished it thinking...wow....such a bold statement to make. But such a profoundly factual one. The setting for this is the modern day merged with 1970s Brooklyn and Luna and her sister Pea (Pia) have travelled to the USA following the death of their mother. There, they unearth secrets and Luna in particular finds out where she comes from and who her Father is...with a twist or two along the way. Luna's travelling between times isn't seamless and that's where I find that this is more 'realistic' than other time travel attempts. Similar to The Time Travellers wife, travelling takes it out of you and Luna has some tough decisions to make. Does she travel back to change the past - ultimately risking her place in the future, or does she leave things as they are and enjoy a life with her sister...read the book to find out - you won't regret it!

Oh my! I absolutely love Rowan Coleman books. They are not my usual kind of read but I do confess to having to have a fix every now and then.
A tragic situation. so beautifully written by this wonderful author. The atmosphere of the setting, Brooklyn early 1970s is brought to life. Great characters that touch your heart.
Highly recommend. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance reader copy.

I really like a book about time travel, it is such an interesting concept and I enjoy how mind bending it can be for the reader. This book is beautiful, quite magical and despite it dealing with a fantastical subject it never veers into the ridiculous.

I fell in love with Luna and Pia and really loved their relationship; Luna trying to be strong for her fragile sister whilst dealing with the death of their mother, discovering her dad isn’t her biological father and on top of that wondering if she is going mad as she keeps finding herself in 1977. The relationship of sisters is a complicated one and Rowan Coleman writes it perfectly; it is never saccharine sweet nor is it full of arguments, it is quietly supportive and loving with a language of its own.

Set in both 2007 and Brooklyn 1977 during the heat wave and in the days preceding the blackout we feel the oppressive tension of the heat, the fear of the Son of Sam and of the Mafia who ruled the streets. The glimpses into this world were wonderful, I could feel the heat of the summer, hear the music being played and smell the burning tarmac under the sweltering sun. The passages in 1977 were truly beautiful and very evocative; Luna’s wonder, apprehension and fear of being able to travel back in time really came through.

Although The Summer of Impossible Things is a wonderful summer book; brilliant characters, a romance, an interesting storyline and a stonking page turner, it is quite dark at times and deals with some difficult subject matter which elevates it above the usual beach read.

A beautifully and cleverly crafted novel. It had me hooked from the poignant beginning to the unguessable ending. Rowan Coleman is a new discovery for me - I will be reading more of this author!

Perfect, utterly perfect in every way! I was totally, obsessively reading this from the first chapter. I was so conflicted.....I wanted to speed read throughout to find out what the outcome or outcomes would be, whilst still loving every sentence and wanting to savour reading the beautiful, lyrical, imaginative text.
If this does not become a mega success I will despair of the reading public; for Rowan Coleman I want this to be a blockbuster and then a film, but for me I really do not want my own perfect images to be replaced.
My recommendation is that if you get a copy please do not start reading until you have enough time and somewhere comfortable, it truly deserves to be savoured.

When I chose to request The Summer of Impossible Things I had never head of Rowan Coleman, having finished it I will be keeping an eye out for other books by her.
Thirty years ago, in Brooklyn something terrible happened to Luna’s mother that changed her life forever. Something she is only willing to reveal to her daughter Luna and Pia after her death.
Still reeling from the unexpected death of their mother, the sisters decide to visit her mother’s birthplace in order to settle her affairs and discover more about the woman they loved so much.
Once they are there something impossible and magical happens to Luna and she meets her mother as a young woman in the Summer of 1977.
But when every action has a consequence, can Luna change her mother’s life without erasing her own?
The Summer of Impossible Things is an enthralling book and kept me mesmerised from start to finish.
The book begins in the aftermath of the sisters watching a tape from their mother which turns Luna’s world upside down as she informs them that the father she dearly loves is not her biological father.
“Watching my mother’s face for the first time since the night she died, I am altered. I am unravelled and undone – in one instant becoming a stranger in my own skin.”
In the same tape their mother goes on to attempt to explain some of the reasons behind her suicide eight months previously. Something which happened back in the summer of 1977 in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
“You see, once a long time ago, something really bad happened to me, and I did something terrible in return. And ever since that moment, there has been a ghost at my shoulder, following me everywhere I go, waiting everywhere I look, stalking me. And I know, I know that one day I won’t be able to outrun him anymore.”
She tells Luna that if she looks very carefully for her she will find her in the building she grew up in and a moment she never truly left.
Luna and her Pia travel to Bay Bridge in Brooklyn ostensibly to sell their mother’s former home, in reality they are mostly there because she asked them to come.
They decided not to include their dad in the truths their mother had revealed to them. Luna brings along her father’s camera so she can take pictures of places that would mean something to him because they were places he used to hang around with their mother.
Luna is a thoroughly intriguing character. She is clearly grieving for her mother, but because she is a physicist and is used to looking at things from a practical perspective, she finds it hard to express exactly what she is feeling. Add to that Pia’s unreliable sobriety and Luna feels she is better to keep it bottled up.
Luna muses on this when Pia asks her how she is coping:
“If I were to answer that question accurately I’d say full of rage and grief, terrified and lost, unsure and unable to find a sure-footed place to stand. But I don’t. Our beloved mother died from an overdose, and, even after a lifetime of a family that revolved around her depression, we didn’t see it coming in time to save her, and I can’t forgive myself for that.”
Luna has recently split up with her boyfriend Brian after she discovered he was seeing someone else, she wasn’t overly upset though as she knows she never truly loved him anyway. She acknowledges that it probably didn’t help that she had admitted to him that since she was a little girl she has been able to see people, places and things. ‘Impossible things’ that aren’t meant to be there. She thinks it is a sign of some form of mental illness or possibly the symptom of some physical illness.
The girls are staying with in the lodging house where their father was staying when he first met their mother. The lodging house is run by Mrs Finkle, a woman who proves to be a valuable friend to them.
Luna is in the street on her own when she feels something strange begin to happen.
“I’m moving, I’m torn away from where I was, and I don’t know how it’s happening, only that it is.”
The next thing she knows in her mother’s former home with a group of young people who look like they are dressed up for a 1970’s costume party. It Is then that she notices that one of them is her mother as a young woman.
Riss, as she is known in this time, is a happy and carefree young woman who is a far cry from the woman she knew whose smile always hid her sadness. Luna finds herself wondering what happened to this enigmatic character to change her personality so much.
As the frequency of these episodes increases Luna realises that things she does in this reality can influence change in her present reality. What if she can save her mother from the terrible incident and stop her from taking her own life?
Rowan Coleman has written a beautiful story full of surprises. The Summer of Impossible Things certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Certainly there seemed to be impossible things happening that summer. After the tragic death of their mother amarissa, sisters Luna and Pia go to Brooklyn, where there mother spent her early years before moving to England with their father. They make some disturbing findings about their mothers past, both distant and recent, and the effect that had on both their mother and their own lives. Even all though much of the story does indeed feel 'impossible ' it draws the reader in. If you could change the past would you? I thoroughly enjoyed the journey.