‘Summer Stage’ by Meg Mitchell Moore – A Journey of Family, Fame, and Self-Discovery: Book Review

Summer Stage is a dramatic look at a family searching for fame and facing adversity that decides to put on a Shakespeare play.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to my local library for purchasing this audiobook. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

From The Publisher:

A spirited summer page-turner following a family of actors grappling with fame, scandal, and ambition. 

Amy Trevino, a former aspiring playwright, has stayed close to her Rhode Island hometown while her famous brother, Timothy Fleming, pursued and achieved his Hollywood dreams. Now a high school English teacher and occasional drama director, Amy takes on the production manager role for her brother’s play in an effort to mend rifting family relationships.  Sam, Amy’s daughter, was a Disney child star who continued her pursuit for fame in a Manhattan TikTok house. Now she’s returned home unexpectedly. Her sudden arrival is shrouded in secrets, and Sam refuses to open up to her mother, deciding instead to join her uncle on Block Island for the summer.   Timothy, a successful and well-loved actor, is directing a summer production at a storied Block Island theater—and his famous ex-wife has the lead role. As they work together to ensure the production is a success, Amy, Sam, and Timothy are forced to grapple with their desires for recognition and fortune, stand up for what they believe art and fame actually mean, and discover what they really want out of life. A bighearted and delicious novel about family, ambition, and opportunity,  Summer Stage  is the must-read book of the summer. 

My Thoughts:

If you’re looking for a great beach read to engage yourself in this summer look no further. This is a family drama that is filled with secrets and scandals set in Rhode Island that will have you turning the pages. The characters are well-developed with interesting backstories and the family dynamics evocative.

Amy Trevino is a high-school English teacher and former playwright. Her brother Timothy Fleming is a successful actor who is directing a play on Block Island and has invited her to take on the role of production manager. These two siblings were once close but have been estranged recently, particularly following the death of their mother.

Amy’s daughter Sam had success as a child actor before returning home to finish school. Most recently she lived in a communal home in Manhattan where creators pursued fame on TikTok. A scandal transpired in this home causing Sam to return home and disengage from all social media. She’s requested her parents not perform an online search for what transpired in Manhattan.

Sam is invited to participate in this play as well and takes on several roles. As these three family members search for new fame and recognition, will their damaged family bonds finally heal?

I listened to the audiobook version of this book which was narrated by one of my favourites, Courtney Patterson. I enjoyed her performance immensely and appreciate her tone and cadence. I would not hesitate to recommend this version of the book to those that enjoy audiobooks.

I recommend Summer Stage to those readers who enjoy General Fiction stories about family.

Other Books I’ve Reviewed Written by Meg Mitchel Moore:

Vacationland

Two Truths and a Lie

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