Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me access to the free advanced copy of this book to read.

The Drowning Summer absolutely drew me in with its stunning cover and I actually ended up liking the story underneath! It was a contemporary fantasy which I wasn't sure how it would work, but it did fairly well for me. I haven't read anything by C.L. Herman before this but I'd be interested to see what else they write.

i liked this! though, honestly, as i sit to finally review it four months after finishing i have to say that i don't actually remember much of it. i did enjoy how climate change played into the magic system and Herman's writing was as gorgeously atmospheric as ever, but i found the book underwhelming overall.

I wish I had read this sooner, but unfortunately I was only just recently able to pick it up. Better late than never though!
The Drowning Summer is a highly enjoyable YA paranormal book. When I think of this book, I think sea salt, small towns, the wind blowing in your hair, summer breezes, thrift stores in beach towns, 90s witch vibes, sand in your shoes, looking for crabs under rocks at the beach, and creepy murder ghosts. It’s also a sapphic book, both mcs are bi and have a really sweet romance. This book is also a bit of a commentary on climate change and the environmental impact that pollution has, except in this book, the pollution doesn’t just affect the earth, it affects the ghosts as well. There were so many twists and turns that made this a very difficult book to put down. Evelyn and Mina both have very different, but tough family environments, and it was very interesting to watch them both navigate that and come out the other side better. Overall, It didn’t blow me away but I still really enjoyed this book. 4/5 stars

Started off slow but engaging, and while I enjoyed bits and pieces of it, it ultimately fell flat for me.

I really liked this one! The seaside setting felt alive and I really liked just about every part of the plot. The characters were interesting and I was hooked from the beginning, wanting to find out what really happened and how the main characters were a part of it. I will continue to read this author's future books as well.

I like the interplay of psychics and parental expectations here. They aren't elements we often see combined. I didn't find the bulk of the book especially compelling, though. The threat to the characters never felt especially real. It's a complex mythology which is interesting but the characters are inconsistent in their portrayal.

Spooky summer read!!🧙🏻‍♀️🌊👻

What I enjoyed…
-Duel POVs of Mina & Evelyn, sapphic 🏳️‍🌈
-Bisexual rep!
-Ghost story, mediums, mystery—captivating & kept you hooked the whole time!
-Family relationships were complex & well explored in both of the girl’s lives.
-Slow burn romance, loved seeing them get closer throughout the novel. Friends to enemies to lovers!
-The imagery throughout was beautifully written.


Thanks NetGalley & the publisher for the ARC 🖤

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the digital galley of this book.

Two childhood friends who haven’t spoken since three teens drowned six years ago. Evelyn’s father was exonerated but people still think he did it. Mina’s family talks to the dead, but her mother’s tried to keep her from it and is hiding secrets of her own. Both girls come back together to solve a mystery and hone their medium skills while trying to lay souls to rest.

This one felt like it took forever to get through, even though it was just a few days. Not sure if it’s post-pandemic time or what, but I really got lost in the story and the characters. I appreciated all the twists and turns, and I’m always here for paranormal/supernatural/witchy stuff. Plus, queer girls, so you know I’m going to read it.

I loved the imagery and the ways that the girls were able to communicate with the dead, a mixture of classic methods passed down through generations, and then something completely out of the ordinary, a reflection of our changing times and the changing coastal ecosystem of their home. There’s some interesting reflections about climate change, but still making it creepy. Props for that.

This one is out now if you’re looking for a supernatural YA set in the summertime. It’s definitely a great option until we can get to the autumn spooky supernatural stuff.

If I was ever going to love a book like The Drowning Summer, it would be in the summer where the oppressive heat makes this kind of dark, atmospheric escape to a sleepy beach town appropriate. But while this book delivers on the ghostly vibes, it didn’t quite capture any of the character work or plotting that also needs to emesh itself with this type of story. The idea of two people who were friends years ago torn apart by tragedy and then forced to team up once more is a familiar kickoff point for this kind of supernatural investigation. But YA tends to not allow for enough time between the “breakup” aspect of this trope to make the “makeup” meaningful, given how young the characters are. There’s only so much time between child and teenager, after all.

It’s hard to say what actually went wrong here, and I really think it’s easier to admit that just not that many things went right. For me, at least, because this is very much a character-driven story and Mina and Evelyn’s narratives were so similar to me that I found myself reading them almost as the same person. That didn’t bode well for either getting attached to their personal struggles and arcs throughout the story, or their eventual romance. It was like watching someone fall in love with themselves.

I was reading this at the same time as another YA low-fantasy release, Melissa Albert’s These Crooked Hearts. And I was finding myself mixing narratives and all the complicated mother-daughter relationships that were in flux across each of these stories. They both touch on very similar themes and both have plenty of witchy vibes. A part of me recognizes there are readers looking for this kind of contemplative, slow-moving story that could read almost as contemporary YA with the only tangential supernatural aspects removed.

More and more, I think I need to step back from any and all YA, because they tend to hyperfocus on characters, a cast I just can’t seem to connect to anymore. I think The Drowning Summer may find its audience with an appropriate YA demographic that are looking less for an urban fantasy novel, and more for a slow-paced beachside mystery with a little bit of magic thrown in.

Thank you to the publisher Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing an e-ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.

This is a story about the season of the witch.

I wanted to love this- I’ve loved the author’s other work, and it’s Bi-rep! But this book just didn’t work for me. I didn’t feel like there was any chemistry between the characters, and I struggled to connect or invest. This might totally be a case of it being me, and not the book!

Thank you so much Netgalley & Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

“The Drowning Summer” by Christine Lynn Herman is a riveting YA novel that delves deep into the practice of magic and how too much power has unfathomable consequences. In this fast-paced story, readers will be drawn into a world of murder, betrayal, love, deception, and the otherworldly.

Long Island is hit with a sudden and unexpected tragedy when three of its young residents are found washed up on the beach with sand dollars over their eyes. Evelyn’s father is the prime suspect in the murder, but when Evelyn calls up a ghost to clear his name, the charges are dropped. After the summoning of the ghost caused harm to her friend Mina, Evelyn swore she would never ask it for help ever again. A promise she ended up breaking.

When another ghost summoning goes awry and weird things begin to happen, Mina and Evelyn are forced to work together to undo their mistake while uncovering the mystery behind what really happened to the three friends who ended up dead. To make matters worse, Mina is excluded from the family business and the sea levels are rising, which means the ghosts are becoming more powerful and uncontrollable. As time begins to run out, the line between life and death blurs, making Evelyn and Mina’s mission more difficult than they had bargained for.

This highly imaginative novel is incredibly intense. It covers a wide range of issues such as grief, personal identity, bisexuality, climate change, and family relationships. Herman creates a story that isn’t just meant to be spooky and unsettling, but one that delves deep into relevant topics today’s generation will be able to connect with. Readers will pick up on a lot of these themes throughout the story and will be drawn in by the murder mystery and paranormal aspects, too.

The characters themselves have a lot of normal issues to deal with on top of the spooky, paranormal ones. It makes them seem tangible, especially when the main characters turn to their family or friends as an emotional crutch rather than each other. While Evelyn and Mina do depend on each other, it’s nice that they don’t rely on each other for everything because it doesn’t make it feel as though their relationship is forced. Not to mention it allows for the secondary characters to shine through and provide some comic relief.

“The Drowning Summer” by Christine Lynn Herman is the perfect must-read novel for the summer season! Available now for purchase!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing me with a free e-arc of this novel and the opportunity to share my honest opinion in this review.

Rating: 4.25⭐️

Thank you to the publisher for gifting me an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book follows Mina and Evelyn who used to be best friends until six years prior during The Drowning Summer. Evelyn’s dad was accused of the murders but the girls summoned a ghost to help clear his name. Six years later, Evelyn summons another ghost for selfish reasons and drags Mina back into her life when the mysterious sand dollar reappears on Mina’s wrist. Both girls must now work together to figure out what’s happening to the ghosts and who actually murdered the Cliffside Trio six years ago, while also confronting their feelings for each other.

I really liked this mystery story. It was an easy read and kept my attention the whole way through. I like the addition of the ghosts and the mediums to the mystery. It added an extra element that fit really well. Both Mina and Evelyn were strong characters who changed throughout the story. The author did a great job highlighting their mental health and how the murders have effected their families over the years. They both have different ways they cope but they still seem to relate to each other. Their transition from friends to a little bit more than friends was well done. It wasn’t the whole point of the story which I appreciate. It was ok the back burner while the mystery unfolded.

I really like when mysteries are set in small towns like this one because we get to meet different people in the town as they sometimes have things to lend to the investigation. The side characters were likeable. It would’ve been nice to see more of what happened to the trio before they were killed but it was still an interesting development.

The ending was a little predictable and I was able to guess the murderer by the end of the book.

Overall, this was a solid YA mystery and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Yassss..... this was a book i needed in my life and it delivered. I dont want to give to much away but please read this book. Its to died for. The characters, the storyline, the plot and the climate of the story was phenomenal and hitting and i need it in paperback

2.5 rounded up,

This was my first Christine Lynn Herman, and honestly if might be my last. This book was objectively fine, but it was kind of boring for what a paranormal ghost story. The tone feels inconsistent with the book, and there's way too many plot lines that none of them feel satisfyingly resolved - especially the environmental impact of the plant.

The romance felt forced, and all of the characters felt pretty one-dimensional and didn't show that much growth throughout the novel. The side characters of Kenny, Luisa, and Amy were some of the most enjoyable characters of the book and deserved more time.

My favorite thing might have been the twist, which I admittedly did not see coming, so points for that!

Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown Books for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

Six years after three murders rocked their sleepy town, former friends Mina and Evelyn find themselves brought back together when the literal ghosts of their past come back to haunt them.

There are some strong bones to this story, and there were some bits that I really loved. I particularly appreciated how, despite having all these paranormal and haunting themes, the story wasn't particularly dark, and that character growth featured just as heavily as the mystery itself. Plus, it's just such an interesting take on ghosts--I think it was so cool how the author tied in global warming and pollution so effectively into the lore. It's such a unique take and I think it was carried out very well. And, of course, it's always so nice to see that bi rep. :)

While I actually really enjoyed the middle of this book, the first and last 25% definitely missed the mark for me. For the first 25%, the writing itself felt a lot sloppier, and the pacing of the intro was pretty all over the place. The last 25%, on the other hand, had a convoluted and underwhelming climax and ending that left me disappointed. Beyond this, throughout the book the author really falls into the hole of telling instead of showing--with pretty much everything. While some of this telling was beautifully written, it doesn't negate the fact that I would've much rather seen the characters change instead of merely being told they had. Overall, too, a lot of the descriptions were worded kind of weird to me--I don't know how else to say it, but there were plenty of little bits scattered throughout that just felt off to me. And, plotwise, having the primary event happen when the girls were 10 years old didn't quite work either.

Unfortunately this book was a DNF for me. I just couldn't get into the characters or the story, and I was really lost.

Absolutely loved this book. Yes it’s a deliciously dark thriller but my favorite part about it was actually the story. I highly recommend this for any thriller fans that one a well told story.

WOW! This was an interesting read for sure! Mina and Evelyn were friend and then not friends anymore. I love how the relationship between them was progressing. And the spirits of course. Can’t forget them.

Thoughts

This book was just... not as good as I thought it would be. I thoroughly enjoyed All of Us Villains, and I had such high hopes here! Don't get me wrong. It's still a good book. It just didn't suck me in like I had hoped. One of the downfalls of reading a new work by an author you've previously enjoyed so much is high expectations that might not be met quite as well the second time around.

Pros
Atmospheric Waves: One of the things that really sets this spooky ghost story apart from other medium tales is its atmospheric and all-encompassing setting. The unsettled spirits of the ocean cry out with the waves. The power of the moon plays with the tide and the minds of the mediums. Blood and candles mingle with saltwater and ocean spray. Murder victims come with sand dollar eyes and barnacled fingers. It's all very creepy, and it creates a perfectly (unwholesome) beachy vibe.

Bi-Awareness: In a culture of bi-erasure, it is nice to have not just one but two bisexual girls represented in this text--and to have at least one of them date a boy as well as fall for the sapphic love interest. While Evelyn might break up with her boyfriend, it has nothing to do with her interest in women, and so that's nice, too.

Ecological Undercurrent: It only makes sense that rising sea levels would affect tidal ghosts, doesn't it? The ecology of marine life, tidal pools, and the ghostly denizens therein all feel the impact of environmental change, as is only natural. The chemical waste from a now-defunct factory may in fact be pivotal. It makes sense that a beachy read would take stock of the actual beach and its residents, human and otherwise, and I so appreciate that this book does take into account the environmental pressures these regions are facing today.


Cons
Secret-Keeping: I don't really enjoy plots that revolve around secret-keeping as a way to create dramatic tension. Here, the omission of truth is a primary leading force behind just about everything, and I just didn't feel a compelling enough reason why this had to be. Why would Mina's mother keep everything from her? Why so many secrets? There seemed to be no particular reason behind this secret-keeping aside from dramatic emphasis. And I just don't like that.

Interchangeable MCs: The external trappings of these girls--their lives, interests, hobbies, familial relationships--might be different, but their narrative voices aren't. I found myself getting confused, because the girls acted and reacted so similarly. The narrative was a little choppy in this regard. Nothing was the same between these girls on the outside, so they should have been easily distinguished. And yet, they weren't. Which is unfortunate.

Weight of Words: This fantasy book leans a bit too much on the weight of the words it uses. By this, I mean Herman uses words we already know and understand to convey important concepts in her world without taking the time to really explain those concepts herself--that is, without digging in and doing the worldbuilding. "Curse," "exorcism," and similarly loaded words are tossed around like we know exactly what they mean, and to an extent, we do. But these words don't get fully defined in-world. This felt like too much of a shortcut. I had an idea of what these words would mean but not the precise meaning--and the impact of the world and its consequences get, therefore, a little bit lost.


Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
7/10

Those looking for another ghostly tale after Aiden Thomas's Cemetery Boys will appreciate these new teenage mediums. Those who like a bit of dark, enemies-to-lovers romance like in Julia Ember's Ruinsong will like these mismatched love interests.