Book Review: "Summer of Second Chances" by Andrea Hurst

Summer of Second Chances feels like a gigantic hug.

“Grief is just love with nowhere to go.” This quote by Jamie Anderson is the epigraph to this beautiful book, and it’s just so appropriate.

Sixteen-year-old Shelby has never had any sense of permanence in her life. Her mother is always chasing after another man, moving them around, never letting her stay in one place long enough to make friends or become part of something. And just when she’s hoping to train as a lifeguard over the summer, her mother is going on a cross-country trip with a new boyfriend and will be dropping Shelby in Moonwater Lake to stay with her grandmother, Alice.

Staying with Alice is the best thing that can happen for Shelby. Alice hasn’t been the same since her husband died, and Shelby is determined to help her get on with things. Not long after arriving in town, while walking Alice's dog, Shelby meets Theo, a lonely widower with an elderly dog, and he suggests she start a dog-walking business.

It’s not long before Shelby has become a part of the town, walking dogs and friending people clearly in need of a smiling face. She also meets Logan, a neighbor and handsome lifeguard, who makes her feel special. And Shelby’s energy is infectious—people in Moonwater Lake find their lives changing through her inspiration, including Alice and Theo.

But what happens when Shelby’s mom is ready to come back and take her to another new town, another new school? Does she have to give up her chance at happiness again?

It doesn’t matter that you can predict pretty much everything that will happen in this book. It is so sweet and charming and warm that I devoured it, and Andrea Hurst’s imagery made this a place I wish I could see for real. (Plus, I smelled waffle cones every time she mentioned them.)

If you love dogs and/or utterly endearing books about love and friendship and second chances, here’s a great one for you.

I was fortunate to be part of the blog tour for this book. Kate Rock Book Tours and Andrea Hurst provided a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making it available!!