A beautiful romance and expertly told. I was hooked from the beginning! It was such a moving story. Loved!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the chance to read this book for an honest review. It is a world war 2 love story and has a lot of things I didn’t know about how the Romani people were treated by the Nazis. I will recommend this book.

I’m so picky with historical fictions but I really enjoyed this one. It held my attention and I had to know what happened.
Thank you for the chance to read this one early

In World War 2 Hungary, socialite Eva, engaged to a doctor, meets Aleandro, a poor musician. During the sultry days of summer at her family villa, Eva finds herself falling deeply in love. When circumstances tear them apart, Aleandro and Eva must each take their own journey. Will they ever find each other again? In a poignant work of historical fiction, the author weaves a spellbinding tale of devotion, loss, and hope.

3.5 stars for me. Thank you to Washington Square Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this title. I had high hopes for this novel because even with my love for historical novels from WW2, I don't know a lot about Hungary's involvement and the impact on the Romani people. I did feel like the author had good research, I just had some issues with the execution. The book starts in 1943 with a young woman, Eva spending her summer at her family's summer estate. She is engaged to be married to a doctor and is studying to be a nurse but then meets Alejandro, a fiddler and artist. They fall in love but then are separated by war. I did appreciate that the book continues after WW2 and I was able to learn more about post-war Hungary under Soviet occupation. BUT, I have major issues with "love at first sight" scenarios. I just feel like it is a trope and an overly obvious tool for a write to use. I also don't love when infidelity is a big part of a book. So overall, it was an interesting read but just ended up feeling too formulaic and contrived for me.

I am going to try very hard to tell you what a great book this was without spoiling a thing for you. During this journey, we will follow the life of Eva. When we meet her she is planning her wedding during a time that is threatened by war. One fateful day she meets a man that will change everything she knew, a man who made her feel alive. World War II then breaks out changing everything, everyone knows. The book gets ugly here, but only because of the times Eva was living through. I loved how this part was written. It was a tad unpredictable from the usual WWII reads. We are going to fast forward and follow Eva through her adulthood including her later years. All those years later her life will still be influenced by WWII. Roxanne did a wonderful job telling this story.

This book was a slow start for me, but really picked up a third of the way in, once Eva and Aleandro are separated. Aleandro was the most authentic character to me, with the most interesting and emotional story. My heart was broken over and over for him and I found myself getting quite frustrated with Eva's choices. I enjoyed the setting of this WWII story and how it extended beyond the war years.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for access to this arc.

I was thrilled to see that Roxanne Veletzos had written another book. Her first novel The Girl They Left Behind was an instant favorite so I had high expectations for this one. I have to admit though that I am not a huge fan of romance so her first novel for me is the better of the two books, HOWEVER, Veletzos is an excellent author who knows how to tell an interesting tale and create memorable characters. Lovers of historical fiction will want this on their to read list! I look forward to more from this author.

this book was hands down so good I def recommend to anyone. I love this author i knew it would be good i wasnt let down at all. it was good from the first page to the last.

I really enjoyed this book! I was hooked from chapter 1 and barely put it down until it was over! I also used to live in Budapest and loved her descriptions of the city and could picture so much of it as I was reading! This is a beautiful story of love, sacrifice, war, and healing. I highly recommend picking up this book, especially if you love historical fiction like I do!

*****Coming August 24, 2021*****
Thanks to Atria Books and Netgalley, I was chosen as an early reviewer.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Roxanne Veletzos will transport you back to Hungary during WWII through the eyes of Eva, who spends the summer on her aristocratic family’s estate, Eduard, her fiancé, a Red Cross doctor, and Alejandro, Eva’s lover, a gypsy fiddle player/artist. These three have very different life experiences during the war, so who will Eva end up marrying after the war? Even though Eva comes from a wealthy family, will she be able to uphold her family’s expectations? The themes of love, betrayal, and heartbreak, will having you turning the pages to find out their fates. This books gives a glimpse of what it was like living in Hungary during WWll and beyond. A well written and thought out book that should be added to your TBR pile.

A love story of star-crossed lovers based in Hungary in 1943 during the heart of WW2 which is filled with love, hate, separation, and tragedy.
I loved reading about the different point of view of the war in this book. It’s not often we read about Hungary when reading a WW2 novel.
This book was a roller coaster of emotions and I fell in love with it from page one.

Historical fiction has become my go to genre. It is interesting to learn and experience a different time than the one we live in. When the summer was ours is a beautifully heart breaking novel about what it means to love someone you shouldn’t, the struggles of sacrifice and how to remain human in the midst of everything. This book told the story of Hungary during the year 1943 when there’s war and unhappiness but Eva finds the one-the one who makes her happy even in the middle of war and difficulty and she has to make a choice between what her family want for her and what she wants for herself.

I have to admit: I've read a lot of WWII novels in the past few months, so I wasn't sure this one would strike a chord in me. But kudos to Roxanne Veletzos for adding her voice and yet another perspective of this global event - this has become yet another one of my favorite novels from this time period.

When the Summer Was Ours follows the life of Eva Cesar; she arrives in Hungary to bide her time on her family's wealthy estate until she marries her betrothed. Her life changes when she meets Aleandro, and despite the differences in their backgrounds and families, the two fall in love until they're forcibly separated due to the incoming war. We get to see how each survives the war, the Hungarian Uprising, and how their lives continue into the present. The writing is beautiful and heart-wrenching, the characters are so realistic and well developed, and the extensive research that the author has done during these time periods is clear throughout.

Breathless. Speechless. Beautiful. When the Summer Was Ours transports the reader to Hungary during World War II to fall in love with Eva and Aleandro, a forbidden love between a city girl and a gypsy. Eva has spent many summers in Sopron since she was a child and returns in the midst of planning her wedding. While there, her satchel that was her mother’s is stolen by a young gypsy while she sits at a cafe. Upon searching for the boy and the lose of her belongings, she is seen by Aleandro who begins to sketch her. He introduces himself and returns the satchel that he took away from the gypsy thief and unbeknownst to her, their lives are forever linked. After leaving her summer house one evening and spending the night with Aleandro, their love is ripped apart by fate. What follows spans the remainder of World War II, the Hungarian Revolution, and finally the end of the Eastern Bloc.

This novel is a gift that you unwrap carefully, savoring each event as it happens. A marvelous tale of love that endures all time, I highly recommend this story to get lost in, not turning the pages fast enough yet not wanting the book to end. If you are lucky enough to get an ARC or buy the book when it is released, you will not be sorry that you shut the world out to escape into the pages of Eva and Aleandro’s story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


#netgalley #atriapublishing #whenthesummerwasours

This book was on my list, especially having read Roxanne Veletzos first book, which was a favorite read from 2020. Was just as good!

The story of Eva + Aleandro in WW2, Hungary is detailed, and heart breaking. It is interesting to learn about WW2 from a different side, and learn about the Romani Gypsys, which isn't a category found a lot.

Highly recommend this book, the writing is lovely as well as the story telling. The story will be one that stays with you for a while! Bravo Roxanne Veletzos!

Great book by Rozanne Veletzos. I felt like I was right there in the book. Great read if you like WWII books.

This is historical fiction at its best! It is unique to read a story that takes place in Hungary. A gut wrenching story that will bring out all of your emotions. Eva and Aleandro are characters that you are immediately drawn to... their story unfolding through the pages of this great historical novel. You will be captivated.

Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book as an advance copy prior to publication. My review is my own and is in no way required by the publisher.

This novel is a historical fiction set in Hungary in WW2. While there are several novels about this subject, this is the first I’ve seen from this perspective (Russian occupation after the war). Obviously, given the setting, there are a lot of sad things in this novel, but the characters and their determination to overcome is heartwarming. I loved the ending.

When the Summer Was Ours by Roxanne Veletzos is a great WWII-era historical fiction novel that kept me entertained and interested from beginning to end.

This is a unique narrative in that not only does it take place in Hungary during WWII, but also in the years thereafter involving the Hungarian uprising during 1956. I can admit that I knew very little of these specific events, and it was fascinating to be able to expand my knowledge and learn more about these additional tribulations that affected so many that had already been through so much just a few years beforehand.

I really enjoyed this story. It had mystery, suspense, passion, love, loss, sacrifice, and ran my emotions all through the gauntlets.

The relationship between Eva and Aleandro was passionate, exciting, emotional, and heart-wrenching. Eva, an aristocratic woman whose family has certain expectations of her and her future is drawn to Aleandro, whom is a Romani musician, is destined to be challenging from the get-go. They are meant for one another, but due to their respective futures, "societal places", and the war, the obstacles are steep, but are they able to connect and end up together despite all of these odds? I won't divulge any further, as the reader should truly enjoy this journey first-hand.

The full character cast is excellent and well-drawn. The main characters are real, raw, imperfect, flawed, but realistic and likable. My heart went out to Eva and Aleandro so many times. It just reminded me of how many people lost so much during the war, and had so many things permantely changed in regards to their futures, hopes, and dreams. It really makes me appreciate all that I have in my life now.

An excellent novel with a gripping plot that will keep any historical fiction reader engaged and will be remembered long after the last page has been read.

5/5 stars

Thank you to Washington Square Press/Atria Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to NG/publisher now and per publisher request, will post it to my GR and Bookbub accounts closer to publication (links will be added upon postings) and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 8/24/2021.