An unbelievable story of mayhem and secrets, of ambition and devastation, of desperation and escape. Ella Drummond has managed to capture the snapshots of all these emotions in the various chapters of the book.
The hottest summer caused a bedlam in Sera’s life both in the past and the present. Best friends Dee and Sera were inseparable in 2003, but Dee and her family disappeared one summer night. Sera tried to find out but no luck. Life happened and decades later, Sera was back with her mother post her husband’s death. And so was Dee along with her brother and a child. But the Dee of today was a changed woman holding back so many secrets.
The story caused the gentle waves of mystery and curiosity to pull me deeper into the ocean of confusion and murkiness where secrets transpired connecting both the past and present. Sera was beautifully etched, I liked her kindness to her best friend and to a stranger Henri with no judgements. I was in awe of her life where she lived in the midst of so many secrets, yet quite unaffected.
Then came my niggles, too many conversation breaks, just when the suspense was reaching the zenith, and weird reactions from some of the characters, diluted my interest too.
I rushed through the book to get to the secrets. And boy, they were so many. Many simply shocked me speechless. Murder and confusion and unexpected connections made this a quick, fun read.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley and publisher, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!! STRICTLY HONEST AND UNBIASED.
All my reviews can be read here
Ella Drummond recently signed a two-book deal with Hera Books. Her first psychological thriller, My Last Lie will
be published in February 2019 and is available for pre-order now.
She lives with her husband on the island of Jersey
One hot summer, Dee disappeared. Now she’s back…but she’s not the girl you knew.
Sera and Dee were the best of friends.
Until the day that Dee and her brother Leo vanished from Sera’s life, during a long hot summer thirty years ago.
Now Sera is an adult, with her own child, five-year-old Katie, and has returned to her childhood home after her husband’s death.
While she grieves, the past haunts Sera at every turn … and then Dee and Leo return to their small Hampshire village, along with Dee’s young daughter.
But Dee is silent and haunted by her demons; no longer the fun-loving girl that Sera loved. And when Sera uncovers the shocking secret that Dee is hiding, it’s clear that the girl she knew is long gone – and that the adult she has grown into might put all of them in danger…
Publication Date: 18th July 2019
Publisher: Hera Books
21 Responses
good one….nice post….thanks for share
Thank you so much
Thank you so much for your wonderful review Shalini and for taking part in the blog tour to celebrate publication of The Darkest Summer.
Aww you are so sweet and gracious to thank me. So happy 💃💃❤️💕
Thank you for kicking off the blog tour today Shalini x
Yayy…. I am in jail… Sorry can’t share any or all of your posts for a week… 😂 😂 😔😔
No worries, have been in there plenty of times myself lol X
Hushhh can you spring me out… I would be waiting my the lonesome window 😂😂😂
Lol will try and break you out 😂 x
Can you do it before 21st? I have my own tour and I cannot share 🙈🙈😂😂
What a nightmare, usually happens to me when I’m on tours X
🙈😂😂
Well, you know you are doing something right, when the author gives you a thank you. Sounds like a great read, despite the niggles. Great post as always! 😊
Sounds intriguing, you cause havoc with my TBR
This was fun 💃💃❤️thank you so much ❤️
Lovely review, Shalini, but I’m still trying to imagine you shocked speechless. 😲
I was… INCREDULOUS… Cozy babe has been busy so I have been quiet 🤫 😂😂
Some things shock me but I am screaming at my kindle in shock
Wonderful review, Shalini! I have been curious about this one because I enjoyed the other book I read from her.
I haven’t read that. Maybe I should get it soon
Great review Shalini. Glad you enjoyed this one even though I am sure there was some skimming going on. 😃
There was no skimming just too many conversation breaks in the prose. Thank you so much ❤️