Unfortunately I had to DNF this story. The writing style was not for me. I appreciate the opportunity and apologize for not being able to complete the story. I wish the author the best of luck!

This book is perfect for a teenager. Being 25, I wasn’t able to love this story as much. I found all of the pop culture references to be a bit much, and the jokes fell a bit flat. Andrea was not a MC I could really love. I disliked how she treated her friends. Also, George is such a horrible guy. Picked that up with the first wink at her. Gross. I wanted more story, more groveling, more character development.

I found this book a little hard to get into. Being YA, I was excited to enjoy the ease of a fun, summer read. The characters lacked depth to me and I found the communication a little flat.

It was sweet, warm hearted moments, but ultimately not something I’d reach for again unfortunately.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This book felt silly. Despite being able to connect with the character's disability and her specific set of challenges regarding disability, the writing was poor and the dialogue was very weak. It missed craft and bones.

Embarking on the journey promised by 'The Secret Summer Promise,' I couldn't help but feel a bit underwhelmed. The BSE (Best Summer Ever) list seemed like a fantastic recipe for an unforgettable time, and Andrea Williams, with her vibrant personality and cerebral palsy, was poised to be a captivating protagonist.

The story unfolds with Andrea and her crew gearing up for a summer of excitement, ticking off items from their list, from blueberries to a Lizzo concert. While the premise holds promise, the execution left me wanting a bit more depth. The character dynamics, especially Andrea's internal struggle with her feelings for best friend Hailee, felt somewhat predictable, lacking the complexity that would have added a layer of authenticity.

Keah Brown, known for her insightful writing, introduces us to a cast of characters in the backdrop of a nerdy queer love story. The narrative, however, occasionally falls into the trap of stereotypes, and some characters could have used more development to fully come alive on the pages.

Despite these reservations, I recognize that 'The Secret Summer Promise' might be a perfect match for readers seeking a light-hearted summer read. The blend of adventure, romance, and self-discovery could resonate strongly with those who enjoy breezy narratives and charming characters.

In the end, my experience might be a matter of personal taste, and I believe this book could find its way into the hearts of readers yearning for a sweet, easygoing summer tale.

Review: The Secret Summer Promise ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Author: Keah Brown
Publication Date: 06 June 2023
Publisher: Levine Querido
LGBTQIAP+ | Romance | Teens & YA

I received this book from Keah Brown and Levine Querido, as an advanced eArc for my honest review any opinions that come from this review are my own. Thank you to both the Author and the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

First off I want to say that I loved the diversity in this book, this was a coming-of-age story that celebrated self-discovery, friendship, and what it’s like to truly accept and embrace yourself for who you are. It read a little immature for me but I pushed through and I am so glad I did. This story moved my little heart, it was comforting, beautiful, and full of diversity which I loved. It was a wonderful lighthearted romance book and I really enjoyed it.

This was a cute coming of age story. At times I became annoyed with the MC but had to remind myself she’s a teenager. My daughters loved it

I requested this for consideration for Book Riot's All the Books podcast for its release date. After sampling several books out this week, I decided to go with a different book for my review.

I decided to DNF this book because it was just not my vibe. I really loved the BIPOC, queer, and disability representation but it read SO YOUNG. Like there were parts where I felt like a middle schooler wrote it and I felt like the characters were a lot younger than 17.

The cover is super, super cute!

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this one!

3.5 Stars Rounded Up
I received an advanced copy of The Secret Summer Promise by Keah Brown from the publisher Levine Querido via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What It’s About: Andrea Williams and her friends made a Best Summer Ever list of things they wanted to do over the summer. But Andrea has just figured out she’s bisexual and she may be in love with her best friend Hailee. Scared of losing her best friend, Andrea sets out for a secret goal, fall out of love with her best friend.

What I Loved: I loved the found family element of this book. The way that Andrea’s family and friends are so connected is just really lovely to see. I also loved that the way Andrea’s chronic illness was written and the way it didn’t define her but also she was open about the challenges she faced and knew that she was a badass. I also really liked the little love story and Hailee, I totally bought the chemistry. Love a queer romance!

What I Didn’t Like: The book reads a bit young for the age period, and this might be the audio experience but it did read younger than juniors in high school. I also felt like some elements were a bit unbelievable, like her family dynamics seem a bit stretched (like the amount of freedom and final decisions she has as her age).

Who Should Read It: People who are searching for a queer romance with a lead with chronic illness.

Summary: A young girl worries about her friendship when she falls for her best friend.

After reading the description, I was very excited to read this title. Once I delved into the pages of their story, that excitement waned, and I was unable to finish. Will pick up again one day.

I had a hard time reading this book as I got an ARC and the editing needed some work. A lot of spaces were not there, the first chapter started right after the dedication and the acknowledgements were the same after the book ended. Also no chapters which made it really hard to read. But I wanted to finish the book so I did.

I'm not the core audience for this book so I had some trouble getting into it but this is a cute YA summer read. Lots of rep and some fun parts. I'm sure it'll find its intended audience.

An ARC was provided to me via Netgalley in return of an honest review.

The Secret Summer Promise is like a reality television show with all of the drama and backstage storylines. OMG! A lot has already dropped when we begin and it’s crazy. Keah Brown gives us a story about friendships more than romance. How do we fail people? How do we not listen to each other? The blinders we have on others' lives while we are living our own - especially if we are going through what we consider to be our biggest trauma.

Brown takes us on a deep dive of emotions, but especially those dealing with expectations, jealousy, and fear. I just kept shaking my head and saying is it really as superficial as Andrea is perceiving it to be. Summer is filled with life lessons here where some take sides, but most of the time the secondary cast just tries to be supportive. Kudos to the friend group because the ladies do not make it easy for them.

The Secret Summer Promise is a young adult angsty read about friendship with some romance thrown in. I went down the rabbit hole and Brown gave me a good time.

this was a very cute book full of diversity and representation. i think that it’s perfect for anyone wanting a colorful summer romance novel that has a deep multi layer plot

The Secret Summer Promise" by Keah Brown is a tender and heartfelt coming-of-age story that celebrates friendship, self-discovery, and the beauty of embracing one's true self. Through the eyes of the endearing protagonist, the novel navigates themes of disability, love, and personal growth with sensitivity and authenticity. Brown's engaging storytelling and well-crafted characters make this a touching and uplifting read that leaves a lasting impression on its readers.

I thought this was a cute YA summer read!

I struggled a little bit with the immaturity in the book and it made it hard to read at some points. I think this is more of a coming of age YA than a romance, which is fine. I thought the representation here was great.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

i love this book! it was lighthearted, comforting, and beautiful. our characters were so authentic and real. this book was full of representation and I loved every second of it. I loved how full of adventure and life this one was and absolutely flew through it. Thank you so much NetGalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Definitivamente uma leitura para o verão!

É tão prazeroso ler sobre acontecimentos na vida de uma pessoa da comunidade LGBT e se identificar, afinal, quem nunca se apaixonou pela melhor amiga e precisou fingir que estava tudo bem com a situação?

Queer, black, and disabled youth representation!! A bi-awakening story without homophobia or some other issues.
I wanted to love this book because it was great in terms of activism, awareness, and representation but it fell flat. I had a hard time connecting with the characters as they read really young (13-14 instead of late high school/17) and it just made getting through the book a bit challenging. There are definitely some themes here that a lot of queer folks can connect to and I have great respect for the author's work, but this book was unfortunately not one of my favourites. I think the characters needed a lot more development, but for folks who want an easy read with some nostalgia and diversity, you can reach for this.

Thank you to the author and Levine Querido for this ARC.