Just an incredibly written story on forgiveness. Though I was nervous about the content of the book (TW: rape, sexual assault), it is actually not the main focal point of the book. Instead it focuses more on the aftermath and how each of the characters who were affected have struggled to move on. A bit cheesy at times, especially the ending, but moving nonetheless. An amazing debut.

This story is an exercise in forgiveness. Sara shows the hesitation to forgive but opens the possibilities. Alana's relationship with Jacob shows her precociousness and intelligence. There is some insight about the prison system that I would like to have read more about. This book reminded me of the film Gifted.

There are a lot of uneven parts. I don't believe Sara being raped was handled well. It did not have the impact. It read as just something that just so happened to happen to her. Her pending relationship with Jacob was off putting. The ending was rushed.

I believe this story could have been a compelling look at family, love, and complicated relationships.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of the book drew me in but once I started reading it, I just couldn’t get into it at all.
I wish the author, publisher and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers.

Note: This book deals with sensitive topics such as sexual assault, pregnancy, suicide, death of family members, illness, cancer, and more. Please take care to make sure you are in the right headspace to read this as it could be potentially triggering for some readers.

It took me about a month to read this book, mostly due to the fact that it covers many heavy subject matters. I recognize the privilege I had in being able to put this down and take a breath when I needed to.

I appreciate the journey both Jacob and Sara go on in this story on their path to forgiveness. There were a few instances when Sara in particular was quite honest with herself about some difficult things she had to face and I'm not sure I would have been brave enough to admit those things had I been in her shoes.

I think it was a really interesting choice for the author to make Jacob and Daniel identical twins. I'm still not sure what to think about it. I read some of the author's notes in the back of the book, and I can see her reasoning for making this creative choice. It is just making me think about what I'd do in that situation as Sara. That alone would have been a major obstacle for me.

Alana was such a great character and I loved how fleshed out she was. Sometimes kids in books can just be add-ons, but Alana was very much her own full character.

I'm not sure this review makes any sense, but there it is. This book won't be for everyone, but I think it brings a lot of difficult things to the forefront for discussion. I think it would make a good buddy or group read. There's a lot to discuss here.

Sometimes suspension of disbelief is as important in a realistic novel as in fantasy. One Summer in Savannah by Terah Shelton Harris is such a recently released book.

The first line in the book sets the scene, “It’s difficult to pinpoint the moment I started loving my daughter.” Sara Lancaster had to get past the appalling way Alana was conceived by rape before love for the girl could enter the picture. But love and protection came and Sara has lived in Maine for eight years, never returning home in order to keep Alana safe and her very existence unknown to those who could not be trusted. Her father’s illness brings her back to care for him and run his bookstore.

The book is engrossing, but belief may be hard to come by. Could any child be as brilliant as Alana? Would any person, even a bookstore owner converse only by repeating someone else’s poetry? Could anybody be as blind to her son’s bad behavior as Birdie? Would the biracial marriage of the Wylers have been accepted, even with their wealth and power in Savannah? Does the rapist, now in prison, deserve either accolades for the good he has done as a model prisoner or sympathy as he faces death with cancer? Then perhaps the biggest question of all, could Sara form a bond with the twin brother of the man who raped her? Even as the reader may struggle with disbelief, the story compels another page turn and after the book is closed will leave wonder and thought about forgiveness and redemption.

One Summer in Savannah would definitely bring on discussion as a book club selection. Terah Shelton Harris will be on a panel at the Mississippi Book Festival on August 19 for those who would like to question her approach to this tough topic.

The poetry was a nice surprise and I really enjoyed the story! Can’t believe this is a debut. I really loved Sara’s perspective.

Such a heavy topic written about in a beautiful way. Definitely not an easy or light read nonetheless i enjoyed it very much. Excited to see where this author goes!

One Summer in Savannah was a remarkable story that deserves to be read by all. Thank you Terah for writing such a thought-provoking book. It's an important read and shows that life is full of tough decisions and moments that come with life changing consequences.
Must read!

Official review and links coming soon.

This was one of my anticipated reads for 2023. This debut novel has so many things that interest me. First of all it is set in Savannah, one of my favorite places on earth. It tackles a subject that I read about constantly. Forgiveness is a subject that intrigues me and I am in awe of how different authors explore it. Harris does this through the main character, Sara who survives a sexual assault as a teenager and gives birth to a daughter conceived as a result of the assault. Throughout the novel, Sara works on forgiving herself, her attacker and his family, the people of Savannah and others for what she endured. Even though sexual assault is at the core of the story, the author does not make the retelling of the assault graphic. She writes in such a way that the reader knows what happened.

Poetry is another interest I have and the author incorporates poetry throughout the novel. It is the language in which Sara’s father speaks. Overall, I enjoyed this novel and I am excited to see what the author writes next.

I requested and received an advanced copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

The old saying the heart wants, what the heart want?. Well that is the only reason I can think of on how and why Sara lets herself get close to Jacob. Jacob is the twin of her attacker. That is so messed up! The attacker who s3xually assaulted Sara years ago, giving her a daughter. But...
Sara has kept her daughter's existence a secret from her hometown but now that she has returned to Savannah things come to light. Secrets can only be secrets for so long.
The trudged-up feelings of being back in Savannah with her daughter need to be delt with. Haven't things festered long enough.?
There is a lot of emotion packed into the pages of this book. Love, hate, repulsion, prison, freedom, and then there's forgiveness. The central theme of this book--told in beautiful prose--is forgiveness. Who do you forgive? what if you never forgive? who deserves forgiveness, anyway?

This book begins with a Content warning: Sara, our protagonist, was raped and became pregnant from that incident. She has moved far from her Savannah home—to Maine—to escape the constant scrutiny of the town where the rape occurred, far from the rapist’s family to a jurisdiction where they have no rights to Sara or her child.
Sara has maintained her isolated existence for nearly a decade, keeping in touch with her father via video calls, and putting her life on hold. But when he faces a final, terminal medical diagnosis, Sara regrets being away so long and returns.
There she must revisit all the consequences of putting a pillar of the community’s son behind bars, as well as her father’s mortality. The book is well written and sensitive—often heartbreaking. Set in the outskirts of Savannah, the ocean and islands of the deep south help set a temperature for the novel and its characters. There is southern charm and hospitality, but also undertones of class, racism and pride that make this book so readable.
My only problem with the book results from my legal background. The book posits that no one knew of Sara’s pregnancy, yet we are also told she was a witness, subject to cross examination, at her rapist’s trialHe had top notch lawyers, but he was still sentenced before her pregnancy became evident. I didn’t find that credible. I also had trouble with the lack of overbearing heat in Savannah in the summer but am willing to accept that one acclimates to extremes.
I enjoyed the book and admired the characters and look forward to reading this debut author’s next one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the early copy.

One Summer in Savannah is a powerful and emotionally charged novel that delves into the themes of healing, forgiveness, and the complexities of family dynamics. Set in the picturesque backdrop of Savannah, Georgia, the story follows Sara Lancaster, a woman haunted by a traumatic past, and her daughter Alana, as they confront their demons and navigate the challenges that arise when their lives intersect with the Wyler family.

The narrative opens with Sara's reluctant return to Savannah after an eight-year absence. Her father's illness forces her to confront the painful memories she has tried desperately to escape. The reader is immediately drawn into Sara's world as she strives to shield Alana from the Wyler family, connected to the man who assaulted her years ago. The author skillfully portrays Sara's determination and fierce protectiveness as she cares for her daughter while grappling with her own inner demons.

The characters are deeply flawed, yet beautifully nuanced. Sara is a strong and resilient protagonist, haunted by her past but determined to create a better future for her daughter. Alana, with her curiosity and intelligence, adds a refreshing perspective to the narrative. The inclusion of the Wyler family, particularly Jacob Wyler, introduces a complex dynamic that adds layers of tension and unexpected connections.

The author expertly weaves together themes of trauma, forgiveness, and personal growth throughout the novel. As the story progresses, the emotional journey of Sara and Jacob intertwines, revealing shared pain, suppressed emotions, and a path toward healing. The author's exploration of the power of poetry as parallel forms of self-expression provides a unique and thought-provoking backdrop to the narrative, emphasizing the transformative nature of art and science.

The setting of Savannah is depicted with vivid imagery, bringing the city to life, and immersing the reader in its atmosphere. The rich Southern charm and vibrant cultural heritage enhance the story's backdrop and serve as a symbolic reflection of the characters' journeys.

The author showcases a poignant and lyrical writing style throughout the book capturing the raw emotions and complexities of the characters' experiences. The prose is evocative and flows seamlessly, immersing the reader in the emotional landscape of the story.

Overall, the story is a gripping and emotionally resonant novel that explores the themes of healing, forgiveness, and the intricate bonds of family. The author demonstrates an exceptional ability to delve into complex human emotions, creating a compelling narrative that will leave readers contemplating the power of love, redemption, and the courage to confront one's past.

I recommend this book club. I give it a 4-star rating.

The ending of this book absolutely WRECKED me. I don’t think I was ready for the emotional journey and the path to forgiveness for both Sara and Jacob.

Alana is like a little star, shining so brightly and leaving an impact on everyone she interacts with.

Although I’m not as knowledgeable about poetry, I can appreciate it and I think it added a layer of depth to the story that is unique and necessary for the emotional complexity of the characters.

Yes, this book is a romance, but it was so much more than that.

I recommend this to anyone who wants to read about second chances, forgiveness, found family, and redemption. 💗

This is a beautifully written book about an extremely tough topic that can be triggering for some people. The author is very straight forward in a letter in the beginning of the book about the difficult topic. The book does not go into specific details of the assault. It just deals with eight years later and some talk of it in an abstract way. Sara is a compelling and strong female lead. Alana is a precocious girl that is a genius. Jacob is a strong male lead with a big heart. Daniel is an example of someone that took a horrific choice and tried to make something positive out of it. Highly recommend this book.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

Heartbreaking, yet, captivating story! There’s emphasis on healing and protecting your peace throughout. The author touched on so many thought provoking topics but handled them with grace. I loved how innocent Alana was and the nurture of Sara and Jacob. The main characters were facing a dilemma that was hard to navigate but time, communication, and boundaries helped them. I enjoyed this one a lot. There is heavy content so definitely take heed to that. But I would recommend this one!

I received an arc from netgalley & the publisher, Sourcebook Landmark, all thoughts are my own.

Thank you for an advance copy of this book. This is a family story of forgiveness. Sarah is a young woman who was raped at the age of 18, and had a child from this horrible night. She has been hiding from this horrible past all her adult life, until her Father falls ill and she must return home. This visit brings back the past and things get complicated quickly. The theme of this book is forgiveness, and how it is necessary to truly move forward, even in the worst of situations. I loved the well developed characters, the complexity of the forgiveness, and the setting. The Father speaking poetry was a little difficult to decipher at times, but I appreciate what the author was trying to do there and it was original. This is a great family fiction story and I recommend it!

One Summer in Savannah
By Tereh Shelton Harris
Pub Date: July 4, 2923
Sourcebooks
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Brilliantly written:
Trigger- aftermath of a sexual assault.
The author takes a tragedy and creates a miracle. I loved this book and its emotional impact.
I highly recommend this one!
5 stars

this was a 4.5 star read for me. make sure you take a weekend to start because you will absorb this one. the author compassion, healing, forgiveness, and love through these pages. i had to sit with this one after the last page for a few days. very impactful story.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and BookSparks for the copy of this book!

"Forgiveness, I've learned, is like a door. You can open yourself up to it or close yourself off from it at any time. We can't rewrite history or change the outcome. Life is a series of choices. And we live in and with those choices we make."

This is a phenomenal narrative on forgiveness and how one decision can make a huge impact. Eight years ago, Sara was raped by Daniel Wyler. She fled town, secretly pregnant from the rape, but now must return to Savannah with her daughter Alana, as her father is nearing the end of his life. Soon after her return, she meets Jacob, Daniel's twin brother, who is nothing like his brother... but comes from a family that has only caused pain for Sara. This is a story of impossible choices, hard conversations, love and forgiveness, and it is really wonderful. I've never read anything like One Summer in Savannah, and highly recommend this debut for a thoughtful and emotional read.

Can you ever truly forgive if you cannot forget?

"Forgiveness I've learned, is like a door. You can open yourself up to it or close yourself off from it at any time. We can't rewrite history or change the outcome. Life is a series of choices. And we live in and with those choices we make."


Two powerful words, "I'm sorry."

This is an absolutely haunting debut novel of love, loss, and forgiveness from Terah Shelton Harris. The characters sucked me in on page one and still haven't let me go. Harris's writing is extremely powerful and takes an incredibly sad circumstance and turns it into a heart-rendering, compassionate, and uplifting book of hope and healing. Be prepared to cry while reading.

There are heavy topics discussed and while readers have to be open to reading about them, I feel like Harris covers these in an incredibly tasteful way. No scenes are overly graphic and none felt unnecessary to the overall plot development.

This may be Harris's first novel, but I hope that it won't be her last. This author is going places!

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Terah Shelton Harris for the e-ARC of this novel. I have already pre-ordered my signed edition!