Hobby Island, a resort for crafters created by Eloisa Hobby.

Jeannie, Luna and Artemis, grandmother, mother, daughter, who not only have trouble communicating with each other, but who have run into a rough patch. An invitation to Hobby Island and a quilting competition may be what gets them through. More than that, though, the magic of Hobby Island may be just what the women need to bring them together and bring light into their lives.

I was unsure about this story when I started reading, but after a few chapters, I didn't want to put it down. It follows the three women as they discover themselves. Over summer on Hobby Island, they find new interests and slowly find parts of their selves that have been hidden beneath the the stress and responsibility of everyday life. My favorite character was Artemis. She wasn't thrilled with Hobby Island at first, especially when she discovered there was no cell service or wi-fi, but was slowly drawn in by the magic and creative nature of the island. In the end, I think if was Artie who grew the most.

Truthfully, once I got into the story it brought to mind the children's game Candyland. I began to see the island in vibrant candy colors. Though some of the characters felt a bit too sweet, and the tone was sometimes over the top happy, the positive vibes and bit of whimsy with which the story was told provided a fun, enchanting escape.

This book had a ton of potential but fell flat for me. The characters felt very one dimensional and just spoke in cliches almost the entire time. The setting is pretty but it was a slog of a story for me.

I received an arc from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This is a good book. It is about a family, a grandmother, Jeanie, mother, Luna, and daughter, Artie. They come to the Island because the grandmother has a golden ticket for the quilting contest. They meet new friends and lost loves. They meet people trying to steal their ideas, not everyone is honest. But through it all they have their family, they can depend on each other.

What a delightful story of perseverance, redemption, and second chances. Jeannie, Luna, and Artie travel to a magical island for a creative art retreat. It's by invitation only and the summer retreat will transform the three women.

Jeannie's in danger of losing the ancestral family home after her husband's death , Luna and her daughter Artie have moved in with her mother after her husband's murder left her having to pay for his mountain of gambling debts. Argue struggling to make sense of the world after her father, an ER Dr. Is murdered at work. Their lives are transformed at this miraculous island where they each come to terms with what's troubling them.

Delightful, magical, enjoyable are all words to describe this marvelous book.

Although I received a free ARC from net Galley and the publisher, all thoughts and opinions are the honest truth.

The Summer that Shaped us was. cute summer read! It is told from the perspectives of three different women from the same family who are overcoming some past trauma.

They are invited to Hobby Island, a place you go to do crafts and escape the "real world". There is no wifi, no phones, just you and your crafts and the people around you. You cannot just show up to Hobby Island, you must be invited.

I would love to find myself on Hobby Island.

I received a free arc of this book from NetGalley - this was a cozy fiction full of drama, family issues, betrayal and generational trauma. The crafting scene is not one I can relate to, and the repetitive phrases and unrealistic ease with which forgiveness was granted kept me from loving this quick read.

This book was a sweet, quick read about three generations of women spending time on a no-Wi-Fi island filled with crafts, journaling, and a little bit of magic. Told from three POVs, it’s about healing, forgiveness, friendship, and starting fresh - plus there’s a subtle romance with just a light touch of spice.

I loved the overall message and some of the quotes really stuck with me. The mother-daughter dynamics felt real and heartfelt, and the crafting element was a fun change of pace from what I usually read.

That said, the magical realism felt underdeveloped, and the setting of Hobby Island came off a little too perfect for my taste. I found myself waiting for conflict that never really came. Some characters, like Eloisa, felt more idealized than realistic.

Still, it was a cozy read with a lot of heart, and I appreciated the focus on growth and second chances.

Some books surprise you. Others hug your heart. The Summer That Shaped Us by Lori Wilde does both—with three generations of women, a heartfelt quilting competition, and enough twists to keep you guessing long after the last stitch.

As an avid reader of Lori Wilde, I know to expect deep emotion, Texas charm, and resilient women. This novel not only met those expectations—it exceeded them.
What I didn’t expect were the twists. Without spoiling anything, let’s just say there’s a reveal involving Eloisa’s past that adds rich complexity and will stay with you long after closing the book.


Synopsis

Luna Aldridge isn’t exactly the maternal type. Her relationship with her teenage daughter Artemis (Artie) is fractured, and she’s still working through pain from her own upbringing. When an unexpected invitation arrives for a summer quilting retreat on Hobby Island, Luna reluctantly accepts—only to find out Artie and Luna’s free-spirited estranged mother, Jeanie, are also invited.

Presiding over the retreat is the graceful and mysterious Eloisa Hobby, who challenges each woman to sew a quilt square telling her personal story. But as memories resurface, secrets unravel—and each woman must decide what’s worth stitching back together.

Standout Plot Threads

The quilting competition might sound quaint, but it’s the emotional centerpiece of the story. Each square becomes a symbol of forgiveness, fear, and love lost or rediscovered.

Favorite Quote:

“A quilt is more than scraps of fabric—it’s layers of history, stitched with hope.”

This powerful line captures what the story is really about, how quilting represents healing and deep connections between mothers, daughters, and grandmothers. It illustrates how each character’s journey is interwoven, much like the fabric pieces in a quilt, creating a tapestry of shared experiences and renewed connections.


Character Deep-Dive

Luna: Fiercely independent, emotionally guarded, but deeply relatable. Watching her soften and begin to trust again was incredibly satisfying.
Artie: The heart-stealer of the book. She’s snarky, wounded, and beautifully honest. Her growth is both hilarious and heartbreaking.
Jeanie: Her unconventional, “live-free” persona hides pain and regret. She’s the emotional thread that binds the trio.
Eloisa: Elegant and reserved, her character serves as both a catalyst and a mirror for the others. I loved how Wilde unraveled her storyline slowly and with purpose.


Themes of Healing, Hidden Truths, and Reconnection

Beneath the sunlit serenity of Hobby Island lies a tapestry woven with secrets, regrets, and the yearning for redemption. Each woman—Jeanie, Luna, and Artemis—carries her own burdens: Jeanie grapples with the aftermath of a financial scam, Luna mourns the loss of her husband while confronting past traumas, and Artemis navigates the tumultuous waters of adolescence and grief.

The quilting competition serves as more than a mere contest; it’s a catalyst for introspection and healing. As they stitch their stories into fabric, long-held resentments and unspoken truths come to light, challenging their perceptions and forcing them to confront their pain.

A pivotal twist emerges when a concealed family secret surfaces, threatening to unravel the fragile threads of trust they’ve begun to weave. This revelation tests their resilience and commitment to one another, ultimately leading to profound moments of vulnerability and understanding.

Through shared experiences and the therapeutic act of creation, the trio embarks on a transformative journey. Their time on the island becomes a crucible for change, where past wounds are acknowledged, and the path to forgiveness is charted.

Another Favorite Quote:

“Sometimes, the threads we fear will unravel us are the very ones that bind us closer together.”

Final Thoughts

Lori Wilde stitches together grief, love, and second chances in a way that feels authentic and uplifting. The Summer That Shaped Us is about what we pass down—whether through heirlooms, habits, or hurt—and the courage it takes to begin again.

This isn’t just a story of mothers and daughters—it’s a tribute to the complicated beauty of womanhood, with enough emotional weight and narrative richness to make it unforgettable.

If you love multigenerational stories with a strong emotional core, do yourself a favor and pick this one up. I highly recommend it.

I was hooked from the beginning!!
It was amazing and engaging.
I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style.
The characters were all very well developed .
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.

Hobby Island was an interesting magical place for the setting of this book. The island is owned by Eloise and she had a golden ticket sent to Jeanie and her family. Jeanie hoped she would win the grand prize in the quilting contest. She could really use the money right now. I enjoyed learning about her life and why she needed the money and seeing how the story would end. This is the first book in this new series set on the island. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

This book was just okay for me. I was really excited for it. I like a lot of Lori Wilde’s books. It was like all the characters were old and kind of cheesy even though they were different ages. The pacing was slow. The characters and storyline were extra, extra sweet. I didn’t think Artie sounded like a teenager at all., and I have two teens! The island description sounded amazing. I wish there was a place like this. I wanted to love it, but it just fell a little flat for me. This book was provided for review by Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

The premise of this book was interesting. It is a private island, a place for crafters of all kinds to get together, share their projects, and learn from each other. It is peaceful and beautiful, with people who look out for each other. The owner, Eloisa, has a knack for helping struggling people. She invites a few special people to an all-expenses paid vacation on the island each year.

Jeanie is a quilter who received one of those invitations, which includes her daughter Luna and granddaughter Artemis. The entire family has had a rough time lately. Luna's husband was murdered, and she discovered that he had lost everything gambling. She and Artie had to move in with Jeanie. Artie is struggling with grief over her father's death. Meanwhile, Jeanie fell victim to a scam artist and is on the brink of losing her home.

I enjoyed watching the changes the three women experienced. Artie is almost sixteen and none too thrilled to be there. There is no internet, and cell phone service is practically non-existent. She's quite the brat at the beginning of the book, but meeting a new friend opens her eyes to a life outside a screen. There is some typical teenage eye-rolling and snark, but Artie is, at heart, a good kid. I loved seeing her and the other girl, Orion, get to know each other. Their collaboration on an art project for the contest was intriguing.

Jeanie is a people pleaser. Her backstory was heartbreaking, between her unstable childhood and her alcoholic husband. She and Luna have a strained relationship, but they need each other. She must win the craft contest's grand prize to save her home. I loved her confidence in her quilting skills and ached for her lack of belief in her design skills for a contest-worthy quilt.

Luna has difficulty trusting people.. Her difficult childhood, combined with her husband's betrayal, makes allowing anyone to get close a challenge. She is overprotective toward Artie, which strains their relationship. Luna also looks sideways at how easily Jeanie makes friends with total strangers. She is wary of the exuberant residents of Hobby Island, wondering what darkness lies beneath the smiles. The last person Luna expects to encounter on Hobby Island is her high school boyfriend, Paul.

I liked Paul. A single dad, he moved to Hobby Island to be near his Aunt Eloisa and have her help raising his daughter, Orion. He's in charge of the landscaping, the golf carts (no cars), and security. His past with Luna is an integral part of the book as they reconnect and deal with that past. Paul is a great guy, a terrific dad, and has an excellent outlook on life.

I enjoyed the story's progression as the island works its magic on Jeanie, Luna, and Artie. I especially liked seeing Jeanie and Luna work together to design the quilt Jeanie will make for the contest. Their time together brings them closer than they've been in years but also stirs up some unwelcome memories.

I enjoyed watching Paul and Luna reconnect. It doesn't take long to resurrect their feelings from the past, but Luna is wary of believing a future is possible for them. I loved Paul's patience with her fears and his steady encouragement to let go of them.

The story's intensity built as the competition's time grew closer. A crisis with Artie resurrected Luna's fears, causing her to push Paul away. I liked the advice Luna got that helped her move past the obstacles that were holding her back. Twists and turns add intrigue to the contest with a surprise conclusion. I loved the epilogue.

The island itself was one of my favorite characters. The little village of craft shops has something for everyone and a welcoming atmosphere that encourages creativity. The descriptions of the flowers were so vivid I could practically smell them, and the scene with the butterflies was fantastic. Wicked Martha, the left sock-stealing tortoise, was a surprise. I also enjoyed the quirky residents, such as the knitting-while-riding-a-unicycle Eloisa and "Auntie" Dot. I'm looking forward to another visit to Hobby Island.

Loved this book. Three generational story of self discovery, forgiveness and a second chance romance. Jeanie has won a golden ticket to the private island, Hobby Island where she has the chance to win $100,000 dollars as a grand prize for crafting. Jeanie takes her daughter, Luna who's husband just died and left her broke and her granddaughter, Artemis, whom is upset with loosing her dad and having to move in with her grandma. The island a little of a magical feeling, where everything is better. This will be a summer that they will not forget.This is the perfect beach read. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

I am still in the middle of reading but I love it so far, the setting is beautifully written and I have been entranced by the rawness of the story so far!

I had high hopes for The Summer That Shaped Us by Lori Wilde, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite meet my expectations. The story is told from the perspective of three main characters – Luna, Artemis, and Jeanie – during their summer on Hobby Island, a special place designed for crafters.

Luna, the daughter of Jeanie and mother to Artemis, is navigating life after the recent loss of her husband. She is artistic and passionate, working through her grief while adjusting to the challenges of being a single mother. Hobby Island serves as an outlet for her to explore her creative side and reconnect with her old self.

Artemis, mourning her father, is at a pivotal point in her journey to adulthood. She longs for independence and adventure, but ultimately still needs her mother’s support, even when she doesn’t want to admit it.

Jeanie, the matriarch of the family, is the glue that holds this trio together. She is the reason they are on Hobby Island for the summer, having won tickets to a quilting competition. The prize money could be life-changing, and Jeanie is determined to win – not just for herself, but for her family.

While I thought the premise of the book was interesting, the story itself felt clunky. Certain phrases and plot lines didn’t quite make sense, and at times the narrative felt awkward and disjointed. I found myself looking for more magical realism and a deeper exploration of the setting Wilde created on Hobby Island. Instead, the story leaned heavily into romance and drama, which left me feeling like there was a missed opportunity.

Additionally, several subplots felt unnecessary and detracted from the heart of the story. While I loved the idea of a multi-generational narrative centered around healing and creativity, the execution ultimately fell flat for me.

That said, if you are looking for a summer read that allows you to escape to a magical island filled with lots of drama, The Summer That Shaped Us might just be for you!

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to review this book. All opinions are my own.

Goodreads: Run date – Tuesday, April 29

I realized at Chapter 12 that I really didn't like many of these characters or this book. While I read some of this book, I mostly listened to it.
I liked the teenager Artie as she seemed fun, inquisitive and really just looking for a friend on this crafting Island. Jeanie was a push over and Luna was a piece of work and not in a good way. Luna just seemed clueless, rude and condescending and wasn't nice to people.
They came to Hobby Island because they won the golden ticket to the craft Island and hoped to win the grand prize.
Some of the family secrets and hurts were talked about and resolved in the beginning chapters with very little emotion and " Ok, I forgive you" which seems very unlikely.
If this book wasn't an ARC, I would have stopped reading at Chapter 12 when I realized I didn't like it. But I continued and was reminded over and over what I didn't like. I thought this would be a fun lighthearted romance. The romance was blah and with the story we were given it can't be categorized as Romance.

The narrator Dawn Harvey was fine but I didn't like some of the voices she made up for people. They were very jarring.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Not my usual cup of tea, but an interesting read. The magical realism could have been played up a little more than it was, as it felt like many things were referenced but we never saw a follow through. It was really neat that the characters referenced the magic of the island, but I would have loved to see that happen properly rather than the assumption that everything good that ends up happening to our characters was because of the island itself. I loved the mother daughter aspect, and how being together on the island brought them closer, even though some of the issues they addressed I feel like would take more than one conversation and a couple of months to figure out.

The ending felt a bit rushed, with lots of things crammed together including a cliff hanger that didn’t seem relevant or needed. This might be common in Wilde's novels, but left me feeling confused and wondering what was even happening in the end.

The Summer That Shaped Us by Lori Wilde started off in a curious way. I couldn’t figure it out so I just kept going. Jeanie; her daughter, Luna; and her granddaughter, Artie, were off to Hobby Island where Jeanie had a chance at a one hundred dollar grand prize if she made the best quilt. She needed it, because, unbeknownst to her daughter, she was about to lose their home. She had been cat-fished and in her search for love had mortgaged the place for money to give to her “lover.” They had had a rough life. Jeanie had loved her husband but he had been an alcoholic and they were constantly on the run from landlords and such. Luna’s husband, a doctor, had been shot in a gang shootout and after his death she discovered he had gambled away everything so she and Artie had come to live with her mom. It all began to make sense when Luna ran into the love of her teen life, Paul Chance. So much more to tell, but that’s what the book is for.

Paul was a good man, always had been. Jeanie had not seen that those years, ago, instead she pushed Luna toward Herc, who she thought was a better man. How wrong she’d been. Then there was the contest. Plenty of twists and turns here. Lori Wilde always writes the best romances. Ok. They are a little out there sometimes, like this one, but so fun, so full of love and things that are different. Great story. Good characters. Fun, fun, fun idea for the setting. Loved it!

I was invited to read The Summer That Shaped Us by Avon and Harper Voyager. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #AvonAndHarperVoyager #LoriWilde #TheSummerThatShapedUs

The Summer That Shaped Us is the first book in Lori Wilde’s Hobby Island series. Island owner Eloise Hobby promotes healing by using one’s creativity in her unique village compound filled with special B&Bs, specialized craft shops and settings such as beachside restaurants and a remarkable crystal cathedral in the forest. With her dear niece’s widower Paul and daughter Orion at her side and a crew of island residents that help in all that is done, Eloise is part benefactor, part wizard, and part fairy godmother.

When Paul discovers that one of their website chat members has been scammed out of her life savings by another but unable to figure out exactly which of a small group is guilty, Eloise awards them all a 2 month golden ticket for all expenses paid and a major craft contest at the end of the session to lure them to the island in hopes of bringing the guilty party to justice. This is how the scammed Jeanie Montgomery and her daughter, Luna Boudreaux and granddaughter Artemis have been able to come to Hobby Island for the summer along with the four suspects.

Bordering on myth/morality tale with a touch of Fantasy Island, Lori Wilde has written such an interesting and compelling story. The characters are multidimensional, the scenic detail precise. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

This book was different. It is about a group of people that are brought to Hobby Islaand for a crafting retreat. The actual reason that several of them were invited is that someone is preying on several members of the crafting group in a love scheme. The story has three generations of one family and their issues with each other, a revived old romance, and a little mystery.

This was a quick, fun read. Not always realistic, but a light summer read.

Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager Books and NetGalley for the digital copy. All thoughts are my own.