Wow! Kristy Woodson Harvey never misses! While I never experienced summer camp, I am now sending my oldest kids to camp and and so thrilled at the possibility of them having experiences like the ones in this book! The friendships were so beautiful and I even took away some practical knowledge including the “hard things” emails I hope to recreate with my friends! Such a great story!

I love summer books and this is a story about summer in all its glory!
friendship that endures through the years and how lessons that we learn at a young age continue to guide us through our lives. It made me feel the importance of female friendship. It had a bit of romance, a few tears and a lot of happiness!
Makes me want to attend camp with my girlfriends for our 40th.

The Summer of Songbirds ⛵️
Thank you, Gallery Books & UpLit Reads, for the gifted copy of this book {partner}

Genre: Fiction
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 7.11.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

"We belong together. Like sand and the ocean. Like flowers and the soil. Like songbirds and the sky."

Leave it to Kristy Woodson Harvey to deliver just the book I needed!

I didn't have the opportunity to attend summer camp as a child, but this book painted the perfect picture of what it must've been like to experience and cultivate friendships like Daphne, Mary Stuart, and Lanier. The characters in this book are the true embodiment of found family. Kristy Woodson Harvey always creates real, relatable characters that I can't help but love (even if they mettle in other's relationships - I'm looking at you, Lanier).

There were additional elements that I particularly loved about this book - broken families and romance. While these are contrasting themes, they added grit to the story I didn't know I needed. Without giving much away, Daphne comes from a family broken by addiction, which Daphne also struggles with during her earlier years. As hard as it was to read some of these chapters, KWH added romance for the older Daphne, which helped soften the darker edges of the book. It was a welcome addition to the story that added a lot of character depth.

🥰 Friendship & found family
⛵️ Summer camp setting
🗣️ Three perspectives (Daphne, June, & Lanier)
🙌🏼 Relatable characters
🔥 Huff
👌🏼 Character growth
💯 Perfect ending

I recommend reading The Summer of Songbirds if you're looking for the perfect summer read!

Wow! This book was a little bit of a departure from KWH's Peachtree Bluff series but I am here for it.

Summer of Songbirds celebrates the lifelong friendship of Daphne, Lanier and Mary Stuart. They became friends as six year old campers at Camp Holly Springs. Years later, they remain the closest of friends, determined to save Camp Holly Springs.

I loved the way this story wove back and forth between past and present. We were able to learn about many of the girls' early summers at the camp, their friendships, their first loves, and then their lives since. I feel like you are either a summer camp person or you're not and I was. I loved every second of the summer camp nostalgia. These women learned foundational life skills as summer campers that have stayed with them throughout their lives together and their relationships going forward.

This is a pleasant story of three friends who met at camp when they were 6 years old. They remained friends through the years as they grew up and now depend on each other for support. The book is told through the thoughts of the three main characters and Aunt June who owns the camp. The author does a very good job of expressing what each person is thinking and doing so you can follow along. This is a fun sometimes tear-jerking romance and will likely stay with you a while. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

The summer at camp for three girls brought lifelong friendships that filled each of their lives. Now adults, they join forces to save the camp that they love so much. Losing it would forever remove a place of comfort and memories. Their plan is to reinvigorate the camp and create a thriving business there again. Along the way, two lost loves are revisited and romance takes a chance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ah the lazy days of summer as a young camper! This fictional romp draws largely on your memory of summer camp. If you never went to camp this one will make you really regret it and you will feel that you have been there. The friendship bonds of the campers and all the fun they had is relived many years later as the camp is now experiencing some financial hard times. A group of friends from childhood jump in to try to save their beloved camp. All of the characters are great and the story is filled with romance, strong relationships and bonding. I think you will love this story just as much as I did and I highly recommend it. Thank you Kristy for another wonderful story. This is one that touches the reader’s heart.

I wish to thank NetGalley and Galley Books Publishers for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The perfect summer read! Kristy Woodson Harvey is a must buy for me. So honored to have received this ARC. And I’ve already ordered the signed copy. Perfect read for our camping trips.

Daphne, Lanier & Mary Stuart have been best friends since their first summer at Camp Holly Springs. It was their Songbird Summer. They have grown up together and done each other’s hard things each week. Now with their beloved camp in danger of being sold to developers, the Songbirds rally to save their special place. But what if the hard things involve hiding secret about a friends fiancé, or a secret love. Is their friendship strong enough to weather another storm & save Camp Holly Springs ?

Once again Kristy Woodson Harvey draws us into another community of strong women who love & support each in the good time & bad. We learn that friendship can survive and that you’re never too old to go back to camp.

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy of KWH latest book. I’ve read most of her books and love all the southern character names, descriptions, sayings, and settings. The Summer of Songbirds might just be my favorite books of hers yet. The story line set at summer camp took me right back to my own time at camp in the 80’s which I had such fond memories. The three main ladies have such a strong, beautiful bond that spanned over decades with ups and downs. It takes you through them meeting as little girls, growing into young ladies, and navigating adulthood. It’s the perfect amount of romance and with a splash of drama.

🐦 BOOK / REVIEW 🐦

The NOSTALGIA of this book 🥹

Absolutely loved this book - plain and simple. I was instantly transported back to being a young girl, embarking my first trip to a sleep away camp called Surf City with my church. Those weeks away, learning how to be on my own for the first time and tasting freedom and independence, are still so special to me.

@kristywharvey created the perfect characters, plot and just enough drama to completely consume me. I loved reading through the perspective of 3 different characters (I would love to know why Mary Stuart wasn't one of them), and felt a true connection with each. There a lot of depth, while also being lighthearted and tender. #thesummerofsongbirds will be a book I think of fondly for a long time. This one almost warrants a sequel - the epilogue wasn't enough for me 😭

Thank you @uplitreads for having me #ontour. This one publishes by @gallerybooks and @simonbooks in July, 2023. Prepared to be utterly DAZZLED by this book ❤️

Thank you @uplitreads for a copy of the perfect summer read. This book has a nostalgic feel with flash back of summer camps for 3 girls that met at camp. The story is told in perspective of 3 voices, Daphne, Lanier and Daphen's aunt, June. I love that this story is not only about friendship but also found family and romance as well. There's humor and so many tender moments.

The quintessential summer read. A story of friends through the decades, friends not only there for the good stuff, but to help you through the hard things in life. All the emotions with this one!!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this! A great beach read, book club read, & book to share with your closest friends.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Having worked at a summer camp in PA, this book immediately caught my attention. I loved the backstory to the entire present-day lives of the 3 girls that grew up going to summer camp together every year. It was relatable and showcased a lot of the tough sides to long-lived relationships. Sweet, funny, sad, & everything in between - all the emotions!

I'm a big KWH fan and I was so excited to get to read this book. It was such a good read &s I really enjoyed this book. I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it early and will definitely be recommending it to multiple people who enjoy previous KWH novels and this type of genre.. I enjoyed the characters and especially enjoyed the writing by this author, especially the writing - it's always so wonderful. I'm excited to see what the author comes out with next as I'll definitely be reading it! Thank you to the publisher for my early copy of this book!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙥 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡.

📍 Read if you like:
• Summer Camp
• Chick Lit
• Female Friendship
• Sisterhood

I don’t usually read women's fiction/chick lit so this book was a bit out of my comfort zone, but I found myself really enjoying it. It’s the perfect summer read!

This author did such a great job of creating this strong sisterhood relationship where these four women will do everything they can to save what made them who they are.

Honestly, the cover of this book is what really sparked my interest. I know everyone says “Don’t judge a book by its cover” - but let’s be real here, we’ve all done it. I’m so glad I ended up enjoying this more than I was expecting to.

The summer camp vibes from this book were immaculate. It felt so nostalgic and brought back so many memories - not only for these characters but also for myself. The characters were so lovable and I loved reading about them.

Also, the romance in this book was so well done. It wasn’t overshadowed by everything else going on. The book itself ended in such a beautiful way. I’m so glad I picked this up, even if it was a bit out of my comfort zone. I would highly recommend checking this one out.

Thank you Gallery Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review, all thoughts are my own!

Love this author because she NEVER disappoints. This one with the friends, the strong bonds, and the summer camp setting made for an excellent read. The writing from different points of view was clear and descriptive. The characters were real and relatable and everything wove together like a finely made garment! Great read!

First: thank you to @netgalley and @gallerybooks for an early review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Oh, my whole heart, was this book perfection! From start to finish, this book was a wonderfully engaging and heartfelt story that kept me smiling, laughing, and fighting tears.

I absolutely adore books surrounding summer camps, partly because camp was a huge part of my childhood and teen years, but also because it’s just the perfect setting for a summer tale. They can be thrillers, they can be romances, they can be about family.

This one was a perfect mix of found family, friendship, love, and heartbreak. Camp Holly Springs was like a major character in this tightly woven story of the friendship between Daphne, Lanier, and Mary Stuart.

But while the story certainly has a strong friendship theme, there’s so much more here. Our main characters are so well-fleshed out and developed, and their families, love interests, and colleagues also add to the narrative.

I adored this book so much more than I can put into words. It was beautifully written and I absolutely loved our three songbirds. Despite her sometimes childish behavior, Lanier resonated with me the most. She reminds me of me.

This one drops in July, and you definitely need to add this to your summer reading list! I’m going to preorder me a hardcover to keep, because I will certainly reread this one.

Fair winds and following seas. 🌊 ❤️

My only camp experience growing up was one week in the 70's at a Girl Scout camp. So I really can't relate to the experience that was central to the book - going to the same camp every year with many of the same campers. It sounds like a wonderful experience, so I imagine Ms. Harvey has captured it accurately. In fact, the camp seems to be an additional character that formed the core of the girls' friendships.
In the prologue, we meet Daphne, Lanier, and Mary Stuart at age 6 as they begin their first summer at Camp Holly Springs. Their story then unfolds by Daphne, Lanier, and June, Daphne's aunt and current owner of financially-challenged camp.
The Summer of Songbirds is about the power of family and friendship: the family we're born into and the one we create, and the wonder of going through the ups and downs of life with longtime friends by your side. It's a multilayered story that was a tad predictable at times, but effectively provides interesting characters and storylines, and tackles some difficult issues, including addiction. The Summer of Songbirds will be a perfect summer read!
Thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read The Summer of Songbirds in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars rounded up because there isn't much that's wrong with this book, I just have learned that this style of women's fiction isn't for me. The summer camp setting appealed to me, and while I loved the moments that took place at camp, so much of it took place outside of camp in a town/community that didn't feel fleshed out to me. What frustrated me most, though, is that there was a lot of drama without a whole lot of depth. I find it very hard to believe when people just don't move on from relationships for ten-plus years, so I wanted a lot more from both the Huff/Daphne storyline and the Lanier/Rich storyline. Everything amounted to each character realizing they needed to change and then deciding to do it with zero growing pains, which hardly feels like character growth to me. I think I'm bring harsh for a book I'm rating three stars but I'm sure this book will be very enjoyable and meaningful for some people, but maybe not people who typically read books with a lot of emotional depth and realism.