I have previously read and loved ‘Where Hope is Found’ from this author. The cover image of the rolling waves is absolutely beautiful and already provides a sense of reflection and soul searching which is also seen in the book.
Blurb:
Hallie ran away from home.
But what is she running from?
And, can she hide for the entire summer?
Three and a half years ago, Hallie had a happy home with a loving mother, a father she adored, and doting grandparents she loved to spend summers with. All of that changed when her father’s career in the Army took him to the Middle East where he was killed in action. Hallie never gave much thought to her mother’s angry insistence that her grandparents had pushed him into the Army. But his death caused that anger to seep into her heart. Nothing could convince her to forgive them or ever visit their island home again … or so she thought.
But when a threat arises at home that her mother refuses to believe is real, twelve-year-old Hallie finds herself running away from home to escape. She knows a safe place where she can hide, but she’ll have to go back to the island, regardless of her feelings.
Hallie doesn’t know how long she can stay hidden or if she will be forced to see her grandparents again, but it’s a risk she has to take. No matter what else happens, she will never forgive her grandparents for her father’s death and she can’t go home … not until the end of summer.
Summer’s Runaway is perfect for anyone who likes an emotional family drama that delves into, not just the lives of the characters, but also their hearts.
For a page-turning, heartwarming story of healing through friendship and family, read Summer’s Runaway today!
My thoughts:
This is a complex and intriguing family drama. As my children’s father is in the army, it did force me to face a situation that I’d never thought of before.
I could identify with Hallie’s need to runaway. I think we all can at times – this is why we book holidays, getaways etc and fill our diaries with things to look forward to. Hallie’s decision to run away is obviously more dramatic but understandably so. I liked the fact that the book became quite twisty and introduced lots of interesting characters and didn’t just focus on Hallie’s inner turmoil, though the exploration of this creates a lot of the emotion in the story.
I enjoyed the fact that there was more to this story once she had run away. Rebecca brags the island setting to life, which you are hopeful for when looking at the cover.
It had been a long while since I’d read the first book in this series but although I think reading them closer together or both of them would be beneficial, I don’t think it mattered as it was a well told standalone story.
This was a dramatic and engaging exploration of family, grief and identity.
A
*Ceri's Lil Blog* 