Bookish Reviews

Mystic Summer: A Novel by: Hannah McKinnon

Mystic Summer is about a young woman named Maggie, who seems to have the perfect life. Teaching at a private school in Boston, her boyfriend wanting to move in with her, and her best friend getting married and she is the co-maid of honour. But when her life in Boston begins to unravel she finds herself back to her hometown of Mystic, Connecticut, and her family.

Upon returning to Mystic, Maggie runs into her ex-boyfriend, Cam. From there, she discovers that he has not only returned to Mystic but is on his own with his baby daughter Emory. The longer she stays in Mystic, the more Maggie questions her once solid relationship with her boyfriend Evan. Will she stay with Evan or take a chance on Cam and his cute daughter Emory.

The novel was a bit slow for my liking but that didn't stop me. It was actually a quiet enjoyable read, besides the fact that Maggie was so unfair and unkind to both Cam and Evan. Though I do sort of feel empathetic towards Maggie because she is trying to find herself. She was quiet an endearing and caring character when she wasn't being frustrating. The minor characters were also interesting and fun to read.

The novel is at times predictable but in the end it is mostly a fun and quick read that everyone is bound to enjoy one way or another.

Expected Publication:

June 7 2016

Rating:

★★★

Summary from Goodreads:

A chance run-in with a college boyfriend puts a young woman's picture-perfect life in perspective in this warm-hearted and lyrical novel—from the author of The Lake Season.

Since finishing graduate school, Maggie Griffin has worked hard to build an enviable life in Boston. She's an elementary school teacher in a tony Boston suburb, a devoted sister, and a loving aunt. With her childhood best friend's wedding quickly approaching and her own relationship blossoming, this is the summer she has been waiting for.

But when Maggie's career is suddenly in jeopardy, her life begins to unravel. Stricken, Maggie returns home to seaside Mystic, Connecticut, where she expects to find comfort in family and familiarity. Instead, she runs into Cameron Wilder, a young man from her past who has also returned home, and whose life has taken a turn that puts Maggie's city struggles in harsh perspective. When tragedy strikes for Cameron, Maggie is faced with big decisions as she weighs what matters most and strives to stay true to the person she's become.

Set against the gorgeous backdrop of a New England summer when past and present collide, Mystic Summer is a gorgeous novel about looking back, moving forward, and the beauty that blooms when fate intervenes.

Special Thanks:

ARC was kindly provided by publisher, Atria/Emily Bestler Books, via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.

About The Author:

Hannah attended her first young author's conference in Mrs. Meyer's third grade class and was never the same since. Growing up exploring the woods and waters of New England, she developed an affinity for nature, animals, and all stories involving the two.

An avid reader, Hannah enjoyed an early career in education. One spring afternoon, while reading a particularly heartfelt passage from a favorite novel, she looked up to see tears rolling down her students' eyes. Her first thought was, "Wow, look at the impact this book is having on these kids." Her second thought was, "Why aren't I doing this?"

Hannah's first two novels for young adults were the critically acclaimed Franny Parker, and The Properties of Water, with FSG/MacMillan in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

Recently, Hannah segued into commercial fiction. Her debut novel, THE LAKE SEASON, was published by Emily Bestler Books of Atria/ Simon & Schuster in June 2015. It was featured by CNN, Cosmo, and InStyle Magazine as a best summer read. Her next novel, MYSTIC SUMMER, comes out June 21st, 2016. Look for it in bookstores this summer!