By: Amanda Baniuk
Many thanks to Books and Bloom PR for the ARC of this book and the stop on the book tour!
It’s 2018 and Blake Abernathy is living in London when she receives a phone call that will send her back home to Ontario. It also brings back a ton of memories from 17 years ago, when she spent the summer at Buckhorn Lake with friends she hasn’t seen. 17 years ago, Blake and her family went to Buckhorn Lake for the summer. There, Blake met a boy and a group of friends. They spent the summer hanging out, swimming, bonfires, bike rides, and even having their first loves. Now she’s back in Ontario, emotionally dealing with what’s happening, and facing her past and the people in it.
OMG, this was the book I didn’t know I needed when I read it! It made my heart happy (for the most part), it was nostalgic for me in the way that I remembered my first love – though I didn’t have any summers at a lake (though it sounds fun!).
All of the characters felt authentic, they were teenagers in high school and they acted like it, which I really appreciated. Blake was a great character and very relatable. The setting of the lake was perfect. I could envision all of the activities they were doing. The dynamics of the group was authentic as well. When Blake is new to the group, not all the girls necessarily like her – which happens, but then they progress and things change.
The romances felt real for their age too. I don’t want to say too much and give anything away, so that’s all I’m going to say.
Lastly, Ms. Amanda Baniuk – What is with that ending?!?! My heart was literally beating so fast, I was all in. I was leaning forward reading those last pages and then it ENDED!!!!! On a cliffhanger!!! How could you do this to us?! When does the next book come out?
This is the PERFECT summer read, so make sure to get your hands on it!
Publish Date: June 17, 2026
Find the book here.
*This post contains an affiliate link. I earn a small commission if you purchase the book through this link.
Book Addict Book Blog 