My Bittersweet Summer

By: Starla Huchton

Narrated by: Lori Prince

Margaret Walsh worked for six years to overcome the trauma she endured at the hands of bullies as a kid, and graduation promises the chance to start over in college and leave the past behind her for good.

What was supposed to be her last summer of fun before moving to Paris turns into a nightmare as her parents announce they're taking over management of a restaurant in the New England beach town where she spent her childhood. For them, it's an amazing possibility. For her, it means confronting memories - and people - she'd rather forget.

Margie's all grown up now, but some things never change. When Zach Robinson insists he's not the bully she remembers, it's all she can do not to laugh. Still, if she's learned anything over years, it's that everyone deserves an opportunity to be better.

Even lost causes need second chances, but with her heart on the line, asking her to bet on a long shot might take more faith than she's willing to give.

©2015 Starla Angelica Huchton (P)2017 Starla Huchton

Beauty and the Beast

This book struck a cord with me.

The main character Margie is returning to a place where she was traumatized as a child by bullies.

Margie dealt with years of therapy to deal with her PTSD

But due to a once in a life time opportunity and out of love for her parents she returns.

The book follows Margie and Zack through out the summer as they work on growing up and moving on from the past.

Great story, something for teens and adults

I listened to this book, and having listened to Starla Hutchton's Evolution: Angel, I knew I was in for a ride! The narration done by Lori Prince kept me enticed while the story that was woven around me made me laugh, cry, and walk alongside the teen characters as their lives played out. It brought back memories of when I was a teenager, and I was able to reminisce myself. I was very pleased with the ending, as it was similar (and better) than what I had hoped would happen. Will definitely be reading more of the author's work

second chances

Margie was bullied as a child by a bunch of rich kids that lived on the island. She was bullied so badly, that her parents moved away and got her some help.

Then her parents tell her that they have sold their house and are moving back to the island to help open a restaurant and they need her to come and help for the summer before she goes to Paris for college. She is not happy and her anxiety starts coming back.

One of the boys that was part of the group, Nick, his parents are who her family will be working for. he suffered a death of a friend the previous summer and it changes his outlook on everything, including who his supposed friends are.

nick tries to make amends with margie, but she is so traumatized still, that she doesn't want to hear anything that he has to say.

over the course of the summer, they start to build a possible friendship. nick eventually tells margie that he has loved her since he was six. will she forgive him and allow them to have their hea after all?

such a good book on redemption, forgiveness and second chances.

good YA story. 3.5 stars

Poor Marg. this has been though a lot in her early age. And having to face the boys that have bulled her almost her whole again, is no easy task. She has to learn not to be so angry, to not let them ruin her life again. Thankfully she has good friends, a great family, and a killer job to help her get though all of this.
She has changed, But have they?

This is my 2nd book by Lori P. I really like her work. she has a perfect teenage voice, as well as others that she does. Great Job Lori!


I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Life after bullies

Margie suffers from PTSD after experiencing an extreme amount of bullying when she was young. Now, 6 years later she returns to the town that was the scene of the crime, to help her parents with their new restaurant endeavor. Can she keep it together when facing the boys that tormented her?

My Bittersweet Summer really struck a chord with me. I thought the storyline was well written and the narrator did a fantastic job of conveying the emotions. Well done.