That Summer

That Summer follows fifteen-year-old Haven McPhail during a season of upheaval in her life. Her father is marrying a young weather reporter, her sister Ashley is planning a wedding, and Haven's best friend is changing in ways she doesn't understand. Haven feels increasingly displaced as her once-stable world shifts around her. At nearly six feet tall, she towers over her peers and struggles to find her place amidst all the transformations in her family dynamics. The reappearance of Sumner Lee, her sister's ex-boyfriend from years ago, stirs up memories of what Haven considers a perfect time in her family's history. These memories become both a comfort and a source of tension as Haven navigates her present circumstances. The novel explores themes of growth, memory, and the sometimes painful process of accepting change. Through Haven's perspective, the story examines how past experiences shape our understanding of the present and the way childhood memories evolve as we mature.

Readers describe this as a slower, more contemplative coming-of-age story compared to Dessen's other works. Many felt it effectively captures the feeling of a transformative teenage summer, with authentic portrayals of family dynamics and personal growth. Readers appreciated: - Realistic depictions of teen emotions and uncertainty - Strong family relationship focus - Natural dialogue between characters - The gradual character development Common criticisms: - Pacing feels too slow for many readers - Less dramatic plot compared to other Dessen books - Some found Haven's character passive - Several readers wanted more resolution to storylines Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (127,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (500+ ratings) "The quiet moments really resonated with me," notes one Goodreads reviewer, while another states "I kept waiting for something big to happen." BookTok readers frequently mention it's "not Dessen's best work" but praise its "honest portrayal of teenage life."

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen A grieving teenager finds healing through an unexpected summer catering job and a group of new friends who show her the meaning of living in the moment.

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen An insomniac teen discovers friendship, romance, and self-discovery during midnight bike rides in a beach town where she spends her last summer before college.

Saint Anything by Morgan Matson A girl grappling with her brother's incarceration finds connection with a pizza-making family who helps her navigate through her changing world.

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks A rebellious teen spends a transformative summer with her estranged father, learning about love, forgiveness, and family bonds through music.

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson A family returns to their lake house for one final summer together as they face terminal illness and confront past relationships.

🔸 Sarah Dessen wrote "That Summer" at age 24 while working as a waitress at the Flying Burrito Restaurant in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 🔸 The novel's exploration of memory and perception was partly inspired by Dessen's own experience of revisiting childhood memories as a young adult and realizing how differently she viewed them. 🔸 "That Summer" was published in 1996 as Dessen's debut novel, launching her career as one of the most successful contemporary YA authors with 15 New York Times bestsellers. 🔸 The height of the protagonist Haven (nearly 6 feet tall) was based on Dessen's own teenage experience of being significantly taller than her peers. 🔸 Weather reporting, a key element in the story through Haven's future stepmother, became a recurring motif in several of Dessen's later novels as a metaphor for change and uncertainty.