Friendship, Love and Discovery: ‘The Summer of Songbirds’ by Kristy Woodson Harvey – Book Review

The Summer of Songbirds is the story of four women who band together to save the summer camp that has played an important part of their lives.

Acknowledgments:

I used an Audible credit to listen to this audiobook. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

From The Publisher:

Nearly thirty years ago, in the wake of a personal tragedy, June Moore bought Camp Holly Springs and turned it into a thriving summer haven for girls. But now, June is in danger of losing the place she has sacrificed everything for, and begins to realize how much she has used the camp to avoid facing difficulties in her life.

June’s niece, Daphne, met her two best friends, Lanier and Mary Stuart, during a fateful summer at camp. They’ve all helped each other through hard things, from heartbreak and loss to substance abuse and unplanned pregnancy, and the three are inseparable even in their thirties. But when attorney Daphne is confronted with a relationship from her past—and a confidential issue at work becomes personal—she is faced with an impossible choice. 

Lanier, meanwhile, is struggling with tough decisions of her own. After a run-in with an old flame, she is torn between the commitment she made to her fiancé and the one she made to her first love. And when a big secret comes to light, she finds herself at odds with her best friend…and risks losing the person she loves most. 

But in spite of their personal problems, nothing is more important to these songbirds than Camp Holly Springs. When the women learn their childhood oasis is in danger of closing, they band together to save it, sending them on a journey that promises to open the next chapters in their lives.

My Thoughts:

Kristy Woodson Harvey has written a story of friendship, love, discovery and personal growth. It’s the story of three girls who meet at summer camp and remain close despite their busy adult lives. The camp is directed by one of the girl’s aunts and is viewed as a haven for many of the girls whose everyday lives lack support or love. Told in dual time frames through multiple perspectives, “The Summer of Songbirds” will steal your heart and makes for a wonderful summer read.

Almost thirty years ago, June purchased Camp Holly Springs after a tragedy in her own life. The camp has done well until COVID closed the camp for a year but June has infused as much money as she can trying to save the camp. This is likely the camp’s last season.

June’s niece Daphne met her two best friends Lanier and Mary Stuart at Holly Springs many years ago. When the girls learn that this is likely the camp’s last season, they know they must do what they can to save it. For Daphne, in particular, this camp became a summer-long refuge and shaped her into the successful attorney and mother she is today. She is surprised by her response to seeing Lanier’s brother, whom she was serious about seven years ago. Daphne is hiding a confidential secret that impacts both the professional and personal parts of her life.

Lanier is preparing for her wedding when she runs into an old boyfriend at Holly Springs. She is unprepared for the rush of old romantic feelings for this man and this has her questioning her impending nuptials. Although she considers Daphne as a best friend, she is concerned about the relationship that seems to have redeveloped between Daphne and her brother. The third friend, Mary Stuart, is viewed as more of a secondary character and does not play a significant role in the storyline.

The story addresses several difficult subjects such as drug and alcohol addiction, dysfunctional families and children living at risk. The care and respect that the author takes in approaching these subjects is appreciated. I particularly enjoyed the relationships between Daphne and Henry’s father and June and Daphne. Forgiveness and personal growth are key messages in the book. It was fun to catch up with these characters in the epilogue, set several years later.

I listened to the audiobook version of The Summer of Songbirds performed by an ensemble cast. As an avid audiobook reader, the use of multiple narrators is always one that I appreciate as it provides a more realistic experience. I would highly recommend the audiobook version of the book for those that appreciate this format.

I recommend this book to those that enjoy Women’s Fiction.

Some of the Other Books I’ve Reviewed Written by Kristy Woodson Harvey:

The Wedding Veil

Feels Like Falling

Slight South of Simple (Peachtree Bluff #1)