The Summer Knows is a beautifully atmospheric novel that lingers long after the final page. Sarah E. Pearsall captures the bittersweet ache of memory, loss, and fleeting moments of connection with lyrical prose and vivid emotional depth. The characters feel real and raw, and the story moves with a quiet intensity that sneaks up on you.

What a gorgeous cover. The story is also beautiful. Pearsall has crafted a book around one woman and her self-discoveries. It's easy to move through and heavier at times than others. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was not very satisfying and lacked meaningful character development. It felt sad to just be sad and I rooted for no one.

The Summer Knows by Sarah Pearsall is a beautifully written coming-of-age story that captures the essence of youthful summer love and the passage of time. Set against the backdrop of the 1980s and 90s, the novel follows Cat and Will, whose relationship blossoms during annual summer visits. The narrative structure, with each chapter dedicated to a specific summer, effectively illustrates their growth and the evolution of their bond.​
Pearsall's prose is evocative, bringing to life the sights, sounds, and emotions of each era. The characters are well-developed, and their experiences resonate with authenticity. The story delves into themes of love, self-discovery, and the complexities of human relationships.​
While the pacing is generally steady, there are moments where the story feels slightly drawn out. However, this minor issue doesn't detract significantly from the overall impact of the novel.​
In summary, The Summer Knows is a touching and nostalgic read that will appeal to fans of character-driven stories and those who appreciate a well-crafted tale of love and growth

Story of a woman going home to face her past and make choices about her future. I really liked the book and debated between 3 or 4 stars. It kept my interest and I liked that the romance part was not a romance where there is a clear good and bad choice, it was more who fit for her and made her a better person. I liked how the character realized she wasn’t a great mom and made choices to change that but I think my one hang up about it was that the transition was almost too smooth.

I enjoyed the plot of this story. I think it had an interesting core concept, and it reeled me in from Chapter 1. I think the writing style made it a bit hard at times to stay engaged. There were too many details and fluff that I thought were not necessarily needed for the story and made it feel like a distraction from the actual narrative. Besides that, the storyline wasn't bad, and I wanted to keep going to see how it would turn out in the end.

In *The Summer Knows*, Sarah Pearsall tells a touching story about second chances and the essence of home in sunny Florida's panhandle. Adrienne Harris, a thirty-one-year-old single mom, is pulled back to her small town when her grandmother calls after a family crisis. Old memories, especially of Quinn Merrit, the boy she left behind, resurface.

Pearsall crafts relatable characters, capturing Adrienne's strength and scars as she navigates small-town gossip. When she meets Christopher Crane, a warm local fishmonger, there's a spark of hope. His offer to revive her grandfather’s fish market symbolizes her journey from broken dreams to something fulfilling.

The story comes alive with vivid details, making readers feel the salty air and hear the seagulls. While it explores familiar themes like small-town drama and rekindled dreams, it feels fresh and heartfelt. Perfect for fans of southern fiction with strong female leads and redemptive arcs, *The Summer Knows* is a lovely summer read that lingers like a warm breeze off the bay.

Women’s fiction readers listen up. I just finished a book that will keep you turning pages until the very end. Check out The Summer Knows by Sarah E. pearsall.