The Summer Breeze by Shail Rajan is a heart-warming, feel-good novel about a woman who leaves behind her unhappy, big city life to find her joy in the small town of Seneca Springs. This book feels like small town living. It’s full of tiny snippets of people. Just like the bed & breakfast featured in the story, we get short glimpses into the lives of those that work and stay there. Initially, the frequent sub-plots feel random, but they all serve to create the full picture of this story.
Callie captured me from the very beginning. I respect that she was a hard-working professional who had made her own way in the world, but ultimately decided that it wasn’t what she wanted out of life. Aside from a few out-of-character moments of unnecessary cruelty, Callie is effervescent, creative, smart, and caring. Though apparently jaded from her past folly in love, her crush progresses rather quickly and, seemingly, one-sided through most of the book. If I had one gripe about this book, it would be that the romance took a back seat to everything else. That could just be me looking for romance, when the book is really about Callie rediscovering her passion. Still, the book ended right where I was hoping it would take off.
I’ve seen other reviewers tout this as the perfect book for quarantine and I completely agree. It feels like a serene vacation to the Finger Lakes (with a couple moments of excitement thrown in). As someone who hasn’t traveled in over a year, The Summer Breeze was a welcome distraction to the everyday hustle and bustle. If you’re thinking you need an escape to a small town, give this book a try.
Thank you to the author for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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