Some families we’re born into Some we find for ourselves When Serenity Alston swabbed her cheek for 23andMe, she joked about uncovering some dark ancestral scandal. The last thing she expected was to discover two half sisters she didn’t know existed. Suddenly, everything about her loving family is drawn into question. And meeting these newfound sisters might be the only way to get answers. The … only way to get answers.
The women decide to dig into the mystery together at Serenity’s family cabin in Lake Tahoe. With Reagan navigating romantic politics at work and Lorelei staring down the collapse of her marriage, all three women are converging at a crossroads in their lives. Before the summer is over, they’ll have to confront the past and determine how to move forward when everything they previously thought to be true was a lie. But any future is easier to face with family by your side.
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What would you do if you suddenly found out you had two sisters you didn’t know about. This is the setting for One Perfect Summer…Serenity, Reagan and lorelei find out they are sisters when they do DNA swabs to learn more about their family. They decide to meet and spend a week together trying to figure out how they are related—but that week winds up being the whole summer. It’s interesting to see the dynamics between these women and to learn their stories and how they are connects. Thank you NetGalley for an e arc in exchanged for an honest review!
Little did Reagan, Serenity, and Lorelei know what taking a simple DNA test would end up turning their worlds upside down. In this stand alone book by Brenda Novak, three women discover they are all related even though one lives in New York, another in Florida, and the third in California. Serenity, the California sister, invites the other two to come to her family cabin in Lake Tahoe. From there, the plot has several twists and turns as Reagan faces a life changing situation, Lorelei struggles with her marriage after her husband has an affair, and Serenity tries to move on with her life after divorce.
The author skillfully weaves these three stories together all the while keeping the reader engaged and wondering what will happen next. We also are introduced to several supporting characters. This could easily be the start of another series of books by the author. If so, I will wait in line for each subsequent book.
If I say anything else, I may inadvertently give away key details that one must read the book in order to fully understand their implications.
***3.75***
I really enjoyed the evolution of the bond between the sisters in this novel. I enjoyed as they each conquered their different personal struggles individually and together. The backdrop of the story and scenery was absolutely beautiful and breathtaking. I am looking forward to reading more from this author!
One Perfect Summer by Brenda Novak
I have not yet read a book of Brenda’s that I would give less then 5 Stars.
Serenity submits her DNA to 23AndMe. What she finds out is amazing.
This happens so much now a days and this book is a good example.
She finds sisters and sets it up so they all can meet.
They go to Lake Tahoe cabin for a few days and learn so much of each other and how they became sisters. What a surprise to me what they found out.
This is a great book and easy summer read.
Really good read of sisters meeting through a DNA test and researching how they are sisters as well as the drama happening in each of their lives. Great character development; would like to see this as a series.
Wow just wow so even though you don’t grow up with your sisters does not mean you don’t become attached once you know about each other and spend the summer together. Finding out you have 1/2 sisters comes as a shock and when meeting discovering how different your lives have been up to that point. This book made me laugh and cry and wish that it would not end in fact I am hoping that there will be a sequel with more about these three wonderful women. So many ways to build on their lives. So from me to you this is a great read and a must read. Thanks Brenda for sharing this story with us.
The premise of this book was fabulous and timely. The writing was spot on and engaging. The characters were well done, and the conflicts were angst ridden. I was totally invested in the story. Unfortunately, the ending felt rushed and a bit unsatisfying.
There were so many relationships woven throughout the book and as I turned the last page, I was left with many questions. What happened to Finn and his brothers? Did Francine and Drew marry? What about their baby? I assume that Sawyer and Serenity stayed together…at least they’re both there when they visit Reagan in New York. Where does Rally end up? What about Lorelei? Lucy? How did Serenity’s siblings take their new relationship? With the twist at the end, do Serenity, Reagan, and Lorelei have other siblings? Way too many questions. The epilogue seemed like a cliff hanger, rather than a vehicle to tie up the loose ends.
I’m a fan of Brenda Novak and her books are on my auto-buy list. I’ll continue to purchase and read her books. As I stated above, the writing is always good. Sometimes the stories are detail heavy. With One Perfect Summer, the details were relevant and moved the story along. I’m hoping this is book one, and we’ll see the resolution of the sister’s story in book two!
A 23andMe DNA swab done as research for her writing is about the change the lives of (swabber & writer) Serenity and her 2 unknown half sisters; Lorelei and Reagan, and all of their families. Each of the sisters is about to go through the most “transformational” summer of their lives even without this surprising information. Will going through it together cement their sister relationship? Will they grow together? Will they each survive the curveballs life has thrown a them. Will they emerge stronger than ever, together as a team? And, just as important (to me), is this book just the beginning of a new series? This book is the story of their discovery and the how and why of it. I’d love to see a series with each book exploring one of the sisters and her story. It could even evolve into stories of the sisters next door for-the-summer neighbors. Please let this happen, we need to read more about these wonderful characters! One Perfect Summer is one perfect book!
Get those tissues ready!
This book has to be one of Brenda’s best. (Well the best I’ve read so far) the depth of emotions this book will take you on is out of this world.
These three women meet under unusual circumstances yet at a time in each of their lives when they need it the most. You will laugh, cry, gasp, and over all fall in love with Serenity, Reagan and Lorelei.
This will be a book you will not want to put down!