Book Review: Paige Toon’s Seven Summers: An Emotional Journey Through Time @PaigeToonAuthor @penguinaudio

Experience the highs and lows of love and sacrifice in Paige Toon’s beautifully crafted novel, Seven Summers.

From The Publisher:

Six summers to fall in love. One summer to change everything.

Liv and Finn meet six summers ago working in a bar on the rugged Cornish coastline, their futures full of promise. When a night of passion ends in devastating tragedy they are bound together inextricably. But Finn’s life is in LA with his band, and Liv’s is in Cornwall with her family—so they make a promise. Finn will return every year, and if they are single they will spend the summer together.

This summer Liv crosses paths with Tom—a mysterious new arrival in her hometown. As the wildflowers and heather come into bloom, they find themselves falling for one another. For the first time Liv can imagine a world where her heart isn’t broken every autumn. Now Liv must make an impossible choice. And when she discovers the shocking reason that Tom has left home, she’ll need to trust her heart even more . . .

My Thoughts:

“Seven Summers” by Paige Toon captivated me from the very beginning. There’s something incredibly appealing about romance novels where the central characters see each other only once a year. The excitement of reuniting after a long absence, followed by the heartbreak of parting again, creates such a potent mix of emotions that it keeps me turning the pages, yearning for more. “Seven Summers” harnesses this dynamic remarkably well.

Liv and Finn’s journey starts six summers ago on the rugged Cornish coastline. Finn, in town with his band, and Liv, working in the local bar, share a passionate affair until tragedy strikes Liv’s family. Finn stands by Liv through this horrific time, but eventually, his music career pulls him back to LA. Liv remains in Cornwall to care for her adult brother with Down’s syndrome. They make a promise to each other: if they are both single, they will reunite every summer.

The story is beautifully told through alternating timelines of past and present summers, allowing us to catch up on Liv and Finn’s lives. Each summer, they relish their time together, making the inevitable parting all the more heartbreaking. But one summer, Liv meets Tom, a mysterious newcomer to her hometown. As their relationship blossoms, Liv finds herself torn between the comfort of her annual reunion with Finn and the possibility of a stable, year-round love with Tom.

Without giving away too much, Liv’s decision is both heart-wrenching and uplifting, shaping her future in ways she never imagined. Paige Toon’s writing is both emotional and engaging, weaving a story of friendship, loss, and the courage to move on. It’s also a tale of sacrifice and responsibility, with well-developed and believable characters that you can’t help but root for.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Natalie Simpson, and her performance truly brought the story to life. Simpson’s narration captured the essence of the characters and the depth of their emotions, making the experience all the more immersive.

Final Thoughts:

“Seven Summers” is a beautifully crafted story that will take you on an emotional ride. If you’re a fan of romance novels with a touch of heartbreak and hope, this book is definitely for you.

A Similar Book I’ve Reviewed:

28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand