Jeanie wins a coveted golden ticket to Hobby Island, and takes her daughter, Luna, and granddaughter, Artemis with her. All three are dealing with major life issues and could use some relaxation and healing. Jeanie hopes to win the grand prize in the quilting competition, but things don’t go as planned. Although most of the residents, employees, and guests on the island are friendly and helpful, there are a couple of individuals with agendas of their own who will stop at nothing to get what they want, regardless of how it might affect others.

A story about grief, loss, healing, trust, forgiveness, personal growth, second chances, new beginnings, and more.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was not for me, it was very hard to read and keep my attention on I constantly found myself looking at the clock and the page numbers annoyed that the book just seemed to be dragging along and not enjoyable to read at all.

There didn’t seem to be much of a plot at all or maybe I just missed it, the writing was bad to the point it was painful and the characters had little to no personality and where quite dislikable from the beginning.

I really tried to give this book a chance but I cannot in good conscience recommend this book to anyone.

Thank you Netgalley Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for the arc

"The Summer That Shaped Us" by Lori Wilde is a heartfelt story about three generations of women—Jeanie, her daughter Luna, and granddaughter Artemis—who come together on Hobby Island, a secluded getaway for creative souls. Each of them is struggling with personal challenges, but as they spend time on the island, they begin to heal, reconnect, and discover new paths forward.

Wilde does a beautiful job of bringing the island to life, making it feel like a magical place full of second chances. The relationships between the characters are rich and emotional, showing the ups and downs of family bonds. The story is full of love, forgiveness, and self-discovery, making it a deeply touching read.

While some moments in the book might feel a bit unrealistic, the overall message is uplifting and inspiring. It’s a wonderful novel for anyone who enjoys stories about family, personal growth, and the power of new beginnings.

Lori Wilde’s “The Summer That Shaped Us” is a book with several genres represented. It contains a little romance, mystery, women’s fiction, and it flirts with aspects of fantasy novels.

Luna and her daughter, Artemis, have been living in Julep, Texas for over a year with Luna’s mother, Jeanie. They’ve been dealing with the aftermath of losing Luna’s husband and Artemis’s father in a tragic way. Jeanie and Luna also have a complicated history that they have never fully dealt with or healed their relationship.

Jeanie is a quilter who is a member of online crafting forums run by Eloisa Hobby, a billionaire heiress. She also owns and runs Hobby Island, a private resort for crafters. A select few receive a coveted golden ticket, which invites them and their family members to the island for a couple months, all expenses paid.

Jeanie receives one of the golden tickets and arrives on the island with Luna and Artemis. Both Luna and Artemis are enchanted by how magical Hobby Island is when they arrive, but both are initially skeptical of Eloisa and others who are on the island.

As the summer unfolds, Luna, Artemis, and Jeanie work on their relationships with each other, themselves, and those around them. They learn lessons around trust, forgiveness, and hope.

The chapters tended to go between different narrators, which worked for this book. There were parts of the book where I found the dialogue was a bit uneven and unrealistic, but overall, I recommend this book. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.

This review is based on an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This review may contain spoilers

What a heartfelt, solid 3 star read!

This story is a beautiful exploration of forgiveness, family, friendship, and personal growth.
I loved how the narrative unfolded from multiple points of view, which really brought the world of Hobby Island to life. It was especially powerful to experience the different journeys of the three Montgomery women—Jeanie, Luna, and Artemis. Each faced their own challenges and showed incredible resilience, and it was inspiring to watch them evolve over the course of the story. The grace they demonstrated is something we can all learn from.

What I really appreciated was the opportunity to hear from all three generations—grandmother, mother, and daughter. The distinct voices of each character perfectly captured the essence of their era, creating a sense of depth and reliability.

This book is a delightful mix of love, mystery, whimsy, and just the right touch of magic. It hooked me from the start, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent in this world. I wish I could move to Hobby Island! Lori Wilde did an amazing job painting a beautiful picture of the island with all of its flowers, jacaranda trees, and cobblestone paths.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a heartfelt story with some quirky characters and complex themes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. #TheSummerThatShapedUs #NetGalley

A heartwarming tale of friendship, second chance romance, forgiveness, and self-discovery. In The Summer That Shaped Us, you'll follow three generations of the Boudreaux family as they embark on a summer stay unlike any other on the idyllic Hobby Island. You'll meet naive and people-pleasing Jeanie, who has been accepted to participate in a quilting competition; her daughter, Luna, who keeps everyone at arm's length; and finally, Artemis, the edgy teenager who feels way too cool to be stuck on an island without cell service with a bunch of crafty old ladies.

This book would be a good fit for someone who is looking for a low-stakes summer/beach read, who is interested in exploring complex family dynamics that include betrayal and forgiveness, and/or who enjoys a charming second-chance romance. I personally found myself the most invested in Luna's development and second-chance romance with her old high school flame, casually named Paul Chance. While the romance kept me fed, I found myself underwhelmed and unimpressed by Jeanie's story, despite all the growth that her character made. So many alarming choices were made in her life that it was hard to feel the pity I think the reader was meant to feel. Artemis's story was enjoyable, though the portrayal of a teenage mind was inconsistent. At times, she felt entirely believable, as if the author were channeling her own 21st-century granddaughter, and other times, Artemis threw out some strangely outdated language that pulled away from her story.

Overall, I found the book enjoyable and pleasant enough. Reading it in the summer would probably add the right atmosphere to make it more of a page turner than I found it to be during a snowstorm in February.

Paul Chance is the real hero of this story. We need more men like Paul Chance.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for allowing me to read an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts I've shared here are my own.

This book isn't for everyone because there were some serious plot holes and other issues that cause me to not really think the story was believable. Overall an interesting book if the plot holes could be fixed.

Thank you Netgalley and author/publisher for the ARC!

This is a bit of a whimsical story but it draws on emotions that are very real and deals with them in a unique way. It’s a horrible feeling to be swindled out of your life savings and have that event become pivotal in how you address issues of trust and forgiveness among those you love. Luckily there’s this lovely island off the coast of Texas where magic can still happen and people help you along your journey back to sanity! This was an easy read for me, and I thank NetGalley for the chance to read it before it is published and offer my honest review.

I loved everything about Hobby Island! Eloisa has created a wonderful environment for all things crafting and hobby. Luna, Artemis and Jeanie could all use a little healing and a little luck. Their time on the island does not disappoint. I truly loved this book and cannot wait to get back to the island!

The Summer That Shaped Us is an easy, heartfelt read with strong themes of friendship, healing, and self-discovery. The emotional depth is there, but at times, the execution feels uneven. Some character arcs are deeply moving, while others lack the development needed to make their journeys feel fully realized. The relationships at the heart of the story are compelling, though certain conflicts resolve a bit too neatly.

The writing is smooth and evocative, with a beautifully described setting that adds to the book’s nostalgic, reflective tone. However, the pacing can be inconsistent, with some sections feeling drawn out while others rush through pivotal emotional moments.

While the novel doesn’t always reach its full potential, it’s still an enjoyable read with plenty of heartfelt moments. Fans of character-driven contemporary fiction will appreciate its themes, even if they wish for a little more depth in the storytelling.

This isn’t going to be for everyone - there are plot holes and fast paced timing that makes you question the believability of the plot - BUT if you adore a summer story, family strife that depeens their loyalty and second chance romance, pick this up. This book was sweet, had hallmark traits and a happy ending. A great summer read that I did enjoy for its simplicity.

This was an easy but great read! This is a book that I’m sure many people can resonate with, myself included. After a lot of hurt & loss, having a Hobby Island would truly help a lot of people heal & move forward. Really enjoyed this one! Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

This a light easy read with a few quirky characters. Joy my favorite by this author, but interesting enough to finish. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

A satisfying read of family, love , second chances and a bit of a mystery . The island sounds like a amazing place to be and definitely a crafters paradise . hoping there will be a book two , I loved all the main characters .

What a great story. If we could all have a Hobby Island in our lives, just think how much better we would be. So many feels and so much growth for the folks who are lucky enough to visit or live there. I loved it!! You just might get some surprised too! I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

You know the author has written an awesome novel about a place that makes you feel like you just want to move there! The Summer That Shaped Us is just such a novel. Hobby Island is not just named for Eloise Hobby but for what the island represents. Old hurts, deception, coming of age, truths revealed and mistakes are woven into the heart of the novel with a very satisfying ending. If you love crafts and are looking for an adventure, don’t hesitate to pick up and enjoy the ride!

I received a free copy of, The Summer That Shaped Us, by Lori Wilde, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Hobby Island, is where you can go and relax and do your crafts and hobbies. You have to be invited to the island, you just cant show up there. Luna and her daughter have been invited to Hobby Island, after the loss in their family. This was a good read.

Lori Wilde's The Summer That Shaped Us offers a heartwarming and emotionally resonant story about three generations of women finding healing and hope on the magical Hobby Island. Jeanie, her daughter Luna, and granddaughter Artie, each reeling from recent tragedies, are invited to spend the summer on this vibrant island, known for its colorful charm and the enigmatic billionaire heiress, Eloisa Hobby.

What immediately captivated me was Wilde's vivid descriptions of Hobby Island. The lush imagery, from the jacaranda trees to the characters' outfits, truly brought the island to life and created a sense of place that felt almost magical. It's a setting that becomes a character in itself, contributing to the overall atmosphere of healing and transformation.

The story explores the complex dynamics of mother-daughter relationships, the challenges of grief, and the importance of self-belief. Each of the three women embarks on a journey of self-discovery, confronting their pasts and learning to embrace the future. Jeanie's hidden secrets add another layer of intrigue to the narrative, keeping me invested in their intertwined stories.

Wilde's writing style is engaging and easy to read, making this a perfect escape for anyone looking for a feel-good story with depth. The pacing is well-managed, allowing the characters' emotional journeys to unfold naturally. I particularly enjoyed the insightful quotes from Eloisa Hobby at the beginning of each chapter, which added a touch of wisdom and reflection to the narrative.

While the story is primarily focused on the women's personal growth, there's a hint of romance woven in, adding another layer of sweetness to the mix. The ending leaves the possibility of a sequel, which I would eagerly anticipate.

Overall, The Summer That Shaped Us is a delightful read that will resonate with readers who enjoy stories about family, healing, and second chances. It's a heartwarming and hopeful tale that reminds us of the power of connection and the importance of believing in ourselves. Four stars.

I am an avid reader but don not believe I have read any of Lori Wilde books. That being said, I struggled to get through this book. the writing does not exactly flow right and the story line was a little strange but enough to keep my interest most of the time. Nothing spectacular stood out, this seemed like an average chick lit fiction novel, but I do appreciate the chance to have access to an advanced copy.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon & Harper for the eARC.
I did not like this book at all. The way it was written was so childish, and awful. The names of things were so childish for a novel that was supposed to be for adults. Not to mention there’s a POV of a literal child, which was super annoying and terribly written. We do not need acronyms like “AF” in books. In addition to the childish writing, there were also random spicy scenes, that were cringey, and easily ruined. Not to mention the whole plot is written around family drama that was resolved in just a few pages. There was no point to it at all.
This felt like a book that was written for a teenager, and it was not a good read. I would not recommend to a friend.