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All the Summers in Between
Win a free print copy of this book!
10 days and 19:01:26
40 copies available
U.S. only
When wealthy, impulsive summer girl Margot meets hardworking and steady local girl Thea in the summer of 1967, the unlikely pair become fast friends, working alongside one another in a record store and spending every spare moment together. But after an unspeakable incident on one devastating August night, they don’t see one another for ten years…until Margot suddenly reappears in Thea’s life, begging for help and harboring more than one dangerous secret. Thea can’t bring herself to refuse her beloved friend—but she also knows she can’t fully trust her either.
Unfulfilled as a housewife, Thea enjoys the dazzling sense of adventure Margot brings to her life, but will the truth of what happened to them that fateful summer ruin everything? Testing the boundaries of how far she’ll go for a friend, Thea is forced to reckon with her uncertain future while trying to decide if some friends are meant to remain in the past.
Set in the dual timelines of 1967 and 1977, All the Summers In Between is at once a mesmerizing portrait of a complex friendship, a delicious glimpse into a bygone Hamptons, and a powerful coming-of-age for two young women during a transformative era.
Unfulfilled as a housewife, Thea enjoys the dazzling sense of adventure Margot brings to her life, but will the truth of what happened to them that fateful summer ruin everything? Testing the boundaries of how far she’ll go for a friend, Thea is forced to reckon with her uncertain future while trying to decide if some friends are meant to remain in the past.
Set in the dual timelines of 1967 and 1977, All the Summers In Between is at once a mesmerizing portrait of a complex friendship, a delicious glimpse into a bygone Hamptons, and a powerful coming-of-age for two young women during a transformative era.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2024
32.5k people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 348 reviews
June 8, 2024
Zero substance. Not a fun beach read at all. Big sister trauma storyline that is so exhausted in the literary world. Even though it was set in the 1970’s, you really couldn’t feel it in the writing.
January 25, 2024
Brooke Lea Foster’s ALL THE SUMMERS IN BETWEEN is a taut, dynamic examination of friendship, marriage, and the inescapable consequences of who we choose to trust and love. This book has everything to keep the pages turning—complex and vulnerable characters, perfectly flawed relationships, and an overwhelming sense of danger that lurks around every twisted corner. Foster’s stunning prose and inspired details almost made me forget just how fast my heart was beating. This is a summer book to read all year long! An amazing story!
July 2, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I have...mixed feelings about this book. I was very intrigued going into it - the promise of a split time line between friends, and the air of mystery of what happened between them all those years ago caught my eye. However, I was left unsatisfied with the plot and the characters. The "vibe" and setting of the book was great. Summertime in the East Hampton's during the 1960's and 1970's, with a big focus on music. This was what warranted two (1.5) stars for me.
Thea and Margot haven't seen each other in ten years, when Margot suddenly shows up in Thea's house asking for help. Thea, although reluctant at first, can't help but give into Margot and help her hide out from authorities, or so Margot claims. Thea is quickly back under Margot's spell. As Thea grapples with what to do, she constantly refers back to "what happened all those years ago", bringing in this almost sinister feeling.
As the story continues, we jump from 1977 back to 1967, learning how Margot and Thea came to be best friends. Thea has been experiencing some extremely tough, down on her luck times when she meets Margot, the rich summer socialite. Thus begins Thea's adventures with Margot. She is totally entranced with Margot's zest for life and big ideas, that she doesn't see Margot is ultimately not a good person & continuously uses her.
Overall, I thought there was not enough substance in the plot or between the characters. Everything felt flat. I struggled to get through it and had to push myself to finish it. The "twist" was predictable, and it didn't add much to the plot for me. If there had been a bit more play into the mystery of what happened between the friends / a livelier lead up to the twist, I think I would have enjoyed it more.
I have...mixed feelings about this book. I was very intrigued going into it - the promise of a split time line between friends, and the air of mystery of what happened between them all those years ago caught my eye. However, I was left unsatisfied with the plot and the characters. The "vibe" and setting of the book was great. Summertime in the East Hampton's during the 1960's and 1970's, with a big focus on music. This was what warranted two (1.5) stars for me.
Thea and Margot haven't seen each other in ten years, when Margot suddenly shows up in Thea's house asking for help. Thea, although reluctant at first, can't help but give into Margot and help her hide out from authorities, or so Margot claims. Thea is quickly back under Margot's spell. As Thea grapples with what to do, she constantly refers back to "what happened all those years ago", bringing in this almost sinister feeling.
As the story continues, we jump from 1977 back to 1967, learning how Margot and Thea came to be best friends. Thea has been experiencing some extremely tough, down on her luck times when she meets Margot, the rich summer socialite. Thus begins Thea's adventures with Margot. She is totally entranced with Margot's zest for life and big ideas, that she doesn't see Margot is ultimately not a good person & continuously uses her.
Overall, I thought there was not enough substance in the plot or between the characters. Everything felt flat. I struggled to get through it and had to push myself to finish it. The "twist" was predictable, and it didn't add much to the plot for me. If there had been a bit more play into the mystery of what happened between the friends / a livelier lead up to the twist, I think I would have enjoyed it more.
June 24, 2024
3.5 stars.
March 13, 2024
Two timelines; 1967 as girls, 1977 as women.
Two vastly different economic situations, Thea in a tiny home with her half sister and stepfather; Margot’s family’s summer home as big as a mansion.
Margot’s parents are never home and offer no support and little love. Margot befriends Thea to see and feel normal family life. They both work part time at a record store where the musical groups are late 60’s and 70’s hits. (You’ll know every song.)
Something tragic happens during that summer of 1967 that girls agree never to discuss again. They’re both ready to drive cross country to California but Margot disappears. For the next ten years they each live their separate lives with zero contact with each other.
Ten years later, 1977, Margot shows up at Thea’s house. She’s in trouble and the Feds are looking for her husband. Forced to reunite the girls, now women, are happy to see each other but Margot must leave. Thea has a husband and child now and can’t/won’t help Margot with everything. They still love each other but their relationship is different now.
Loved the two time periods and everything Thea and Margot had to face, for good or not.
Thank you Edelweiss and Gallery books.
Two vastly different economic situations, Thea in a tiny home with her half sister and stepfather; Margot’s family’s summer home as big as a mansion.
Margot’s parents are never home and offer no support and little love. Margot befriends Thea to see and feel normal family life. They both work part time at a record store where the musical groups are late 60’s and 70’s hits. (You’ll know every song.)
Something tragic happens during that summer of 1967 that girls agree never to discuss again. They’re both ready to drive cross country to California but Margot disappears. For the next ten years they each live their separate lives with zero contact with each other.
Ten years later, 1977, Margot shows up at Thea’s house. She’s in trouble and the Feds are looking for her husband. Forced to reunite the girls, now women, are happy to see each other but Margot must leave. Thea has a husband and child now and can’t/won’t help Margot with everything. They still love each other but their relationship is different now.
Loved the two time periods and everything Thea and Margot had to face, for good or not.
Thank you Edelweiss and Gallery books.
March 26, 2024
I thought that this would be a light fun summer read and I was wrong. Have you ever known a person who seems to say and do all the right things but yet there’s something off? That is how I felt reading about the friendship between Thea, a married mother of 1 who is a year round resident of a beach community, and Margot, her best friend 10 years ago that she hadn’t seen in that long and just showed up in her home one summer day. Thea desperately wants to believe her friend is sincere and needs her help and to me there were so many friendship red flags that I found it uncomfortable at times to read about their interactions.
There’s a lot going on in this book and I will continue to think about it, but I will not miss the characters.
Thank you Netgalley and Gallery Books for the digital ARC.
There’s a lot going on in this book and I will continue to think about it, but I will not miss the characters.
Thank you Netgalley and Gallery Books for the digital ARC.
July 6, 2024
Genre: Historical/Women’s Fiction
Publisher: Gallery Books
Pub. Date: June 4, 2024
“All the Summers In Between� is a story centering on a dysfunctional female relationship. The narrative is presented in two time periods, both in the Hamptons, during the summer of 1967 and 1977. In the 1960s, the Hamptons on Long Island was a vacation playground for the elite, but still, it was just home for the residents. In 1967, Thea, a local adolescent struggling to keep her sister and Stepdad afloat, meets Margot. Margot is the daughter of affluent parents with a vacation estate within walking distance of Thea’s run-down home. There’s a clear and unfair distinction between the classes, where the wealthiest live in close proximity to the poorest. (If anyone else likes old black-and-white movies, think the 1937 movie “Dead End� starring the Dead End Kids. (If interested, google it). A criminal incident forced Margo to leave the island in 1967. Then, after ten years of silence, in 1977, she showed up unannounced, and once again, Thea’s world was turned upside down. After reading about one unbelievable thriller after another, I started to skim. Still, I enjoyed the setting and recommend this novel as a good beach-read contender among the other ones out there.
I received this Advance Review Copy (ARC) novel from the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
Find all my book reviews at:
/review/list�
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Publisher: Gallery Books
Pub. Date: June 4, 2024
“All the Summers In Between� is a story centering on a dysfunctional female relationship. The narrative is presented in two time periods, both in the Hamptons, during the summer of 1967 and 1977. In the 1960s, the Hamptons on Long Island was a vacation playground for the elite, but still, it was just home for the residents. In 1967, Thea, a local adolescent struggling to keep her sister and Stepdad afloat, meets Margot. Margot is the daughter of affluent parents with a vacation estate within walking distance of Thea’s run-down home. There’s a clear and unfair distinction between the classes, where the wealthiest live in close proximity to the poorest. (If anyone else likes old black-and-white movies, think the 1937 movie “Dead End� starring the Dead End Kids. (If interested, google it). A criminal incident forced Margo to leave the island in 1967. Then, after ten years of silence, in 1977, she showed up unannounced, and once again, Thea’s world was turned upside down. After reading about one unbelievable thriller after another, I started to skim. Still, I enjoyed the setting and recommend this novel as a good beach-read contender among the other ones out there.
I received this Advance Review Copy (ARC) novel from the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
Find all my book reviews at:
/review/list�
�
�
March 2, 2024
This book is set in 1967 and 1977. Thea and Margot become friends over a lost dog. Margot is the rich kid with parents that she would prefer to not be around. Thea has lost her mother and is struggling to find her way. Thea gets Margot a job at the record store where she works and they spend most of their time together. After a tragic event one night, Thea does not see Margot for ten years. Margot is in some trouble and Thea is reluctant to help her out. Thea is married now and has a child. Is Margot being honest with Thea??
This book kept me turning the pages quickly to see what would happen next!! It is an exploration of family, secrets, friends, and how friendship can be tested!! I loved that so many songs are mentioned in the book too.
I highlighted so many quotes and here are a few favorites�
“And while time could change the face, adding laugh lines or age spots, it rarely changed the soul.�
“Sometimes I come down here when I’m writing and choose songs that I know will make me feel something.�
“This is amazing, Thea thought. They each lifted a greasy slice off a paper plate, biting into it. She wanted to come back this pizzeria every night of the week. Nothing had ever tasted so good.�
ALL THE SUMMERS IN BETWEEN will be available on 6/4 but I know that you want to preorder now!!! June is packed with a lot of great books so you will want this one ASAP!!!
This book kept me turning the pages quickly to see what would happen next!! It is an exploration of family, secrets, friends, and how friendship can be tested!! I loved that so many songs are mentioned in the book too.
I highlighted so many quotes and here are a few favorites�
“And while time could change the face, adding laugh lines or age spots, it rarely changed the soul.�
“Sometimes I come down here when I’m writing and choose songs that I know will make me feel something.�
“This is amazing, Thea thought. They each lifted a greasy slice off a paper plate, biting into it. She wanted to come back this pizzeria every night of the week. Nothing had ever tasted so good.�
ALL THE SUMMERS IN BETWEEN will be available on 6/4 but I know that you want to preorder now!!! June is packed with a lot of great books so you will want this one ASAP!!!
August 8, 2024
I don't know what I was expecting from by , but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it! Told in dual timelines from Thea’s viewpoint, we explore her and Margot's friendship growing up as well as what happens a decade later when Margot pops into her life again. There is a hint of mystery, but it was mostly a coming-of-age tale mixed with the intricacies of friendship and figuring out what you want in life. There are a couple of triggers in here, so I would recommend checking those out on StoryGraph prior to reading.
I really enjoyed the audiobook and thought Emily Ellet was the perfect choice for the narrator. She made me feel like I was actually in Thea's head and brought her to life perfectly. I was quite surprised by the darkness this story reaches, and I was completely fooled by the cover into thinking this was a beachy read. It really isn’t and would best be enjoyed when you are in the mood for something more serious. All the Summers in Between has a slower pace but one that kept me reading, and I will definitely be checking out more from Foster.
I received an advance listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I really enjoyed the audiobook and thought Emily Ellet was the perfect choice for the narrator. She made me feel like I was actually in Thea's head and brought her to life perfectly. I was quite surprised by the darkness this story reaches, and I was completely fooled by the cover into thinking this was a beachy read. It really isn’t and would best be enjoyed when you are in the mood for something more serious. All the Summers in Between has a slower pace but one that kept me reading, and I will definitely be checking out more from Foster.
I received an advance listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 11, 2024
All the Summers in Between is a well-written historical novel about two friends in the 1960’s and 70’s. I love books set during this time but unfortunately haven’t read many, so this was a nice surprise for me. Another thing I love is books about friendships. When I started reading, I read a lot of chick lit novels that were heavy on friendship and women empowerment (rather than romance) and this reminded me of those. If you add in a backdrop of music and summers in the Hamptons with a little bit of mystery, then you get this book! All in all, I enjoyed it. I was much more immersed in the first half than I was in the second half, but the overall feel of the novel is strong, and I’d like to read more from the author.
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
April 8, 2024
I really wanted to like this book and was so excited to have won it through ŷ as an ARC. The plot was intriguing, but lacked until about the last quarter of the story. The characters were not well developed and did not feel like the friend you thought you knew forever...whether in contact or not. The storyline kept promising a big reveal, only to have that reveal be so underwhelming once you reached it. This book was a struggle to complete.
May 3, 2024
I really enjoyed this! It’s essentially a story about friendship and getting older, and how that impacts your relationships. Set in 1967 and 1977 we meet Thea and Margot at 20 and 30. Perfect for summer and full of so many fun music references!
April 21, 2024
The Hamptons on Long Island in the 1960s was just a summer playground for the wealthy, but for the locals, this is their home. When Thea, a local teen, meets Margot one summer, the trajectory of her life changes. Margot is the daughter of very wealthy parents who have a summer mansion in walking distance to Thea's home. When the girls meet, and quickly become best friends, a series of events happen that summer that separates them. The story is revealed alternating between present day and what happened ten years earlier. It's a nice story of friendship, love, and forgiveness. June 2024 pub date
July 20, 2024
neither fun NOR well written?
Read
September 1, 2024Poorly written and a very boring story. Don’t bother
July 4, 2024
All the Summers in Between
By: Brooke Lea Foster
4 💿💿💿💿
I love books set in the 60’s. Two girls become best friends after working at a record store.
💿
Margot and Thea end up estranged for 10 years after something happens. As fate brings them together can then overcome their past?
💿
Mystery, music, friendship and more make this novel a fun one for the summer.
#allthesummersinbetween, #brookeleafoster, #gallerybooks, #bookreview, #booksconnectus, #stamperlady50
By: Brooke Lea Foster
4 💿💿💿💿
I love books set in the 60’s. Two girls become best friends after working at a record store.
💿
Margot and Thea end up estranged for 10 years after something happens. As fate brings them together can then overcome their past?
💿
Mystery, music, friendship and more make this novel a fun one for the summer.
#allthesummersinbetween, #brookeleafoster, #gallerybooks, #bookreview, #booksconnectus, #stamperlady50
July 18, 2024
There were so many important messages in this story. Well done, Brooke Lea Foster!
June 10, 2024
A terrific slow burn friendship story that examines the ways that our friendships evolve and change as what we need and want evolves and changes.
I came to this mostly for the summery, beachy vibes, and I was really pleasantly surprised by what a wonderfully told and well-drawn story it turned out to be.
Thea and Margot are old friends who have fallen out of touch, both haunted by a shared tragic event that they both must carry and keep secret. When circumstances throw them back together later after both of their lives have dramatically changed, questions arise about how much loyalty you owe to an old friend or to someone who once showed you the ultimate loyalty, and about how to reckon with the idea that sometimes good people do bad things for good reasons.
The dual timeline worked really well in this book, and I loved how well-rendered the characters were. The relationship between Thea and Margot is of course paramount to the story, but I also loved the roles cast for the secondary characters. Thea’s relationships with Dale as well as Felix were also really well composed.
I think the ending is critical for a story like this, and I loved that loyalty wins out of guilt and sanctimony. Rarely do books like this achieve an ending that feels like both what you want and what *should* happen, but this one absolutely nailed it.
In all, a lovely summer read with a bit more heft to it than your average beach read.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
I came to this mostly for the summery, beachy vibes, and I was really pleasantly surprised by what a wonderfully told and well-drawn story it turned out to be.
Thea and Margot are old friends who have fallen out of touch, both haunted by a shared tragic event that they both must carry and keep secret. When circumstances throw them back together later after both of their lives have dramatically changed, questions arise about how much loyalty you owe to an old friend or to someone who once showed you the ultimate loyalty, and about how to reckon with the idea that sometimes good people do bad things for good reasons.
The dual timeline worked really well in this book, and I loved how well-rendered the characters were. The relationship between Thea and Margot is of course paramount to the story, but I also loved the roles cast for the secondary characters. Thea’s relationships with Dale as well as Felix were also really well composed.
I think the ending is critical for a story like this, and I loved that loyalty wins out of guilt and sanctimony. Rarely do books like this achieve an ending that feels like both what you want and what *should* happen, but this one absolutely nailed it.
In all, a lovely summer read with a bit more heft to it than your average beach read.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
June 3, 2024
Thank you #partnery Gallery Books for my #gifted copy of All The Summers in Between!
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐈𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚 𝐅𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
★★★★�
All The Summers In Between was such a captivating coming of age story and I was hooked from the very start. This was my first book by Brooke Lea Foster and it will not be my last! I absolutely loved the writing style and could not get enough of this one. There were so many amazing elements in this book, including a mystery element, which is what had me hooked from the start. I loved how Thea and Margot were an unlikely pair who became best friends, yet ripped apart after one tragic night. I also thought it was interesting how their relationship with one another changed and almost flipped once they were reconnected with one another. I felt like the dual timelines format was perfect for this book and set everything up so well. Coming of age novels are some of my favorite, and I think this one was just so perfect. I cannot recommend this one enough!
🖤Dual Timelines
🖤Complex Female Friendships
🖤A Coming of Age Story
🖤Music References
🖤Elements of Mystery
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐈𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚 𝐅𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
★★★★�
All The Summers In Between was such a captivating coming of age story and I was hooked from the very start. This was my first book by Brooke Lea Foster and it will not be my last! I absolutely loved the writing style and could not get enough of this one. There were so many amazing elements in this book, including a mystery element, which is what had me hooked from the start. I loved how Thea and Margot were an unlikely pair who became best friends, yet ripped apart after one tragic night. I also thought it was interesting how their relationship with one another changed and almost flipped once they were reconnected with one another. I felt like the dual timelines format was perfect for this book and set everything up so well. Coming of age novels are some of my favorite, and I think this one was just so perfect. I cannot recommend this one enough!
🖤Dual Timelines
🖤Complex Female Friendships
🖤A Coming of Age Story
🖤Music References
🖤Elements of Mystery
May 13, 2024
All the Summers In Between was gifted to me by the author. It transports the reader to the Hamptons in 1967 and 1977. There, the rebellious visitor Margot meets and befriends the reliable local girl Thea. But, after their music-filled summer of sun and fun, a terrible incident drives them apart.
Ten summers later, Thea is a stay-at-home mom dreaming of self-fulfillment through art. Margot secretly returns and brings with her more problems that need fixing. Thea wants to help, yet she also doesn't trust Margot based on the past.
This is quite a complex female friendship! It shows the power some people have to force others outside their comfort zone, for better and for worse.
The book balanced many things just right. It takes the reader back in time without ever feeling too historical, and it offers a light mystery without ever feeling too much like a thriller. I also loved how the "secret" from the past unfolded methodically over the course of the novel. It kept me intrigued yet didn't make me feel overly impatient to learn what it was. Overall, it was really finely balanced.
All of this made for a great beach/pool read for me while I was in the Bahamas. It's a no-brainer for fans of Beatriz Williams and Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah. I was thinking of both of these authors the whole time!
Ten summers later, Thea is a stay-at-home mom dreaming of self-fulfillment through art. Margot secretly returns and brings with her more problems that need fixing. Thea wants to help, yet she also doesn't trust Margot based on the past.
This is quite a complex female friendship! It shows the power some people have to force others outside their comfort zone, for better and for worse.
The book balanced many things just right. It takes the reader back in time without ever feeling too historical, and it offers a light mystery without ever feeling too much like a thriller. I also loved how the "secret" from the past unfolded methodically over the course of the novel. It kept me intrigued yet didn't make me feel overly impatient to learn what it was. Overall, it was really finely balanced.
All of this made for a great beach/pool read for me while I was in the Bahamas. It's a no-brainer for fans of Beatriz Williams and Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah. I was thinking of both of these authors the whole time!
April 6, 2024
Based on the title and cover art for this book, I expected this to be an easy beach read, but I was lucky enough to have received an Advance Reader’s Edition in a ŷ Giveaway and I simply couldn’t wait until summer to dig into it.
Despite it being cold and March when I read it, this book did transport me to summer, to a small town by the ocean where Thea lives. It’s the summer of 1977 and Thea is celebrating her 30th birthday and pondering her life and her contentedness with it when her estranged friend Margot shows up. They haven’t spoken in 10 years and there’s a reason, but it’s not revealed right away. It’s apparent that something pretty big happened between the two and Thea is hesitant to trust her old friend, but seems to feel an obligation or pull to Margot. The story begins to flashback to the summer of 1967 when Thea and Margot first met, which is also the summer they last saw each other.
While the description of the setting in this one made it extremely atmospheric for me, this wasn’t the “easy� beach read I thought it would be. The summer that Thea and Margot met was not an easy one for either of them and although there were moments of carefree summer bliss, I felt a little sense of unease and was hesitant to feel fully invested in their friendship. It wasn’t until I was about halfway through the book that I think I even began to feel the bond of friendship forming and even then, it wasn’t the carefree bond of young friendship that you so often see in books. They both carried burdens that somehow the other lifted a bit for them, making their friendship necessary for each of them at that time in their lives.
The chapters in the book are split between the summers of 1967 and 1977 and in both, the setting, the fashion and the music seem to combine to create a third main character in the story. I absolutely loved being whisked away to the seaside setting in the summer.
I went into this expecting a ‘Firefly Lane� type of friendship, but this one was different. Relationships are different and they’re sometimes complicated. Some are easy while some take more work, some create deep, meaningful connections while some seem superficial, some are meant to last a lifetime while others can be short-lived, but they all play a role in who we are, who we’ve been and who we’ve yet to become. I enjoyed reading about this one. I enjoyed Thea’s journey of self-discovery as she pondered her life and revisited her friendship with Margot. While this wasn’t necessarily what I would classify as an easy beach read, it was a good story. Overall, I’d rate this book a 3.5, rounded down to 3. I’ve had a copy of ‘Summer Darlings� on my bookshelf for some time now and I plan to dig into that this summer. I know for sure that Brooke Lea Foster’s writing has the power to transport me to summer and I’m looking forward to another “getaway�.
Thanks to Brooke Lea Foster, Simon and Schuster Publishing and ŷ Giveaways for the much appreciated Advance Reader Edition!
Despite it being cold and March when I read it, this book did transport me to summer, to a small town by the ocean where Thea lives. It’s the summer of 1977 and Thea is celebrating her 30th birthday and pondering her life and her contentedness with it when her estranged friend Margot shows up. They haven’t spoken in 10 years and there’s a reason, but it’s not revealed right away. It’s apparent that something pretty big happened between the two and Thea is hesitant to trust her old friend, but seems to feel an obligation or pull to Margot. The story begins to flashback to the summer of 1967 when Thea and Margot first met, which is also the summer they last saw each other.
While the description of the setting in this one made it extremely atmospheric for me, this wasn’t the “easy� beach read I thought it would be. The summer that Thea and Margot met was not an easy one for either of them and although there were moments of carefree summer bliss, I felt a little sense of unease and was hesitant to feel fully invested in their friendship. It wasn’t until I was about halfway through the book that I think I even began to feel the bond of friendship forming and even then, it wasn’t the carefree bond of young friendship that you so often see in books. They both carried burdens that somehow the other lifted a bit for them, making their friendship necessary for each of them at that time in their lives.
The chapters in the book are split between the summers of 1967 and 1977 and in both, the setting, the fashion and the music seem to combine to create a third main character in the story. I absolutely loved being whisked away to the seaside setting in the summer.
I went into this expecting a ‘Firefly Lane� type of friendship, but this one was different. Relationships are different and they’re sometimes complicated. Some are easy while some take more work, some create deep, meaningful connections while some seem superficial, some are meant to last a lifetime while others can be short-lived, but they all play a role in who we are, who we’ve been and who we’ve yet to become. I enjoyed reading about this one. I enjoyed Thea’s journey of self-discovery as she pondered her life and revisited her friendship with Margot. While this wasn’t necessarily what I would classify as an easy beach read, it was a good story. Overall, I’d rate this book a 3.5, rounded down to 3. I’ve had a copy of ‘Summer Darlings� on my bookshelf for some time now and I plan to dig into that this summer. I know for sure that Brooke Lea Foster’s writing has the power to transport me to summer and I’m looking forward to another “getaway�.
Thanks to Brooke Lea Foster, Simon and Schuster Publishing and ŷ Giveaways for the much appreciated Advance Reader Edition!
May 30, 2024
All the Summers In Between is a story of complicated female friendship told with dual timelines in the Hamptons: the summer of 1967 when local girl Thea meets wealthy summering socialite Margot; And 10 years later, in 1977 when Margot unexpectedly returns to town on the night of Thea's 30th birthday celebration. Thea, who once had artistic aspirations, is now a wife and mother and Margot has left her husband and his questionable business dealings behind in NYC. Margot is looking to Thea for safe harbor, but the two haven't seen or spoken to one another since the summer a decade ago when their quick, intense friendship mysteriously ended.
I enjoyed the setting. The mystery shrouded female friendship makes for a good beach read contender.
I enjoyed the setting. The mystery shrouded female friendship makes for a good beach read contender.
June 28, 2024
It's the summer of 1967 in the Hamptons except Thea isn't there for vacation like many others, she is a local. She is spending her summer taking care of her younger sister and working at a local record shop. She forms an unlikely friendship with Margot, a wealthy summer resident, due to a chance meeting. They hit it off and Thea gets Margot a job at the record store. They have an nice summer filled with music, boys, and more until a violent incident tests their friendship. Fast forward to the summer of 1977, Thea is a young mother and isn't necessarily happy with her domestic life. Unexpectedly, Margot ends up on her doorstep in a time of need. She needs to hide out, as her husband has gotten into some trouble, and she looks to her old friend for some help. Brooke Lea Foster's All the Summers in Between is a coming of age tale about two friends, a bit of a mystery, and includes the gorgeous backdrop of the Hamptons.
Read the rest of my review here:
Read the rest of my review here:
May 22, 2024
Thank you @simonbooks for the gifted copy. Thea and Margot become friends in the summer of 1967 and what a summer it is. One night in August the unspeakable happens. The girls end up estranged for ten years until Margot shows up in 1977 with trouble again. A coming of age story about friendship. It was a little slow and I feel Thea could have made better choices.
#bestestbookclubever
#bestestbookclubever
May 6, 2024
This book is told from the female main character’s point of view and alternates between 1967 and 1977. If you love music from the 60’s you will enjoy the musical references. There are also themes of female friendship, gender roles, financial differences, with a bit of mystery. I was able to read this quickly yet found myself frustrated with many of Thea’s choices relating to her friend.
June 5, 2024
Well... this was okay for me. It's a solid read but wasn't what I was expecting. I thought by the cover that this would be a summer type of read... I was dead wrong. While I did like the duel time lines and seeing 10 year differences, I personally couldn't connect to either character. Margot is someone I would never be friends with! She was way to flakey, sneaky, conniving, and fake for my liking. Not sure if that's the look the author was going for but if so, they did a great job at it. I personally would have ended that friendship before it even started. It grated on my nerves the entire time. Meanwhile, I did like Thea. She had her head on straight for the most part and was doing good for herself. But omg, let Margot gooooo is all I kept thinking. The mystery was fine, nothing to write home about. All around it was just a okay read for me and that's ok.
June 28, 2024
Probably 3.5 stars for me.
First of all, the incredible cover art drew me to pick up this book for a light summer time read. The story set in a sleepy Long Island, NY vacation town jumps between 1967 and exactly 10 years later. In 1967, local 20-year old Thea is mourning the loss of her mother and stuck parenting her younger sister in an increasingly bleak family home. In walks Margot, a wealthy NYC girl of same age with all the glamour and confusion of wealthy mid-century Americans.
These two hit it off like only true opposites can. Thea grounds Margot. Margot pushes Thea to be more exciting. It all sounds good. But, indeed this sunny friendship has a super dark shadowy side. They end up only have a great long summer together before not talking for 10 years.
10 years later, Thea is a bit of a bored, suburban housewife and Margot returns FULL of drama. The friendship is reignited, but we now see more cracks of personal issues. Is Thea a sucker? Is Margot kind under all of her thievary and lies? Probably both. Could make a beautiful limited series TV show.
First of all, the incredible cover art drew me to pick up this book for a light summer time read. The story set in a sleepy Long Island, NY vacation town jumps between 1967 and exactly 10 years later. In 1967, local 20-year old Thea is mourning the loss of her mother and stuck parenting her younger sister in an increasingly bleak family home. In walks Margot, a wealthy NYC girl of same age with all the glamour and confusion of wealthy mid-century Americans.
These two hit it off like only true opposites can. Thea grounds Margot. Margot pushes Thea to be more exciting. It all sounds good. But, indeed this sunny friendship has a super dark shadowy side. They end up only have a great long summer together before not talking for 10 years.
10 years later, Thea is a bit of a bored, suburban housewife and Margot returns FULL of drama. The friendship is reignited, but we now see more cracks of personal issues. Is Thea a sucker? Is Margot kind under all of her thievary and lies? Probably both. Could make a beautiful limited series TV show.
June 24, 2024
2.5 stars (rounded up) // I kept hearing so much about this book and I was excited to add it to my summer read rotation. But this one fell flat for me. The timeline goes back into the past of how Thea and Margot met and the years of their friendship. Something happens that caused them not to speak for a number of years until Margot pops up out of the blue needing Thea’s help. I didn’t feel like there was much substance to this plot and I found all of the characters slightly annoying.
July 6, 2024
I just love these kinds of books. Margot and Thea were unlikely friends as teenagers. Something happened to make them break apart (read to find out what), and years later, Margot reappears and obviously has a secret (read to find out what). Margot’s reappearance upends everything. She causes friction in Thea’s home and in her life. Thea starts to question everything.
I loved this book!!! Loved it!!! I wish I had discovered it sooner. Now, I am making my way through all Brooke Lea Foster’s books.
I loved this book!!! Loved it!!! I wish I had discovered it sooner. Now, I am making my way through all Brooke Lea Foster’s books.
June 28, 2024
In my opinion, this is the story of a really shitty friendship. I can see why some may enjoy this book’s mystery and drama aspects, but I just couldn’t get behind it due to my distaste for the characters. Margo being a manipulative bitch who only considers herself and Thea being someone who falls for the same crap over and over. Although written well, this book left a negative aftertaste in my mouth.
Side note: this book has frequently been compared to stories by Elin Hilderbrand & Kristen Hannah by the literature/Bookstagram world�
Whoever said this, should be ashamed to compare two of the best and most iconic authors to this piece of work. It’s nowhere near as beautiful.
Side note: this book has frequently been compared to stories by Elin Hilderbrand & Kristen Hannah by the literature/Bookstagram world�
Whoever said this, should be ashamed to compare two of the best and most iconic authors to this piece of work. It’s nowhere near as beautiful.
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