The Summer of Lost Letters

By: Hannah Reynolds

Narrated by: Imani Jade Powers

Perfect for fans of Morgan Matson and Ruta Sepetys, this sweet, summery romance set in Nantucket follows seventeen-year-old Abby Schoenberg as she uncovers a secret about her grandmother's life during WWII.

Seventeen-year-old Abby Schoenberg isn't exactly looking forward to the summer before her senior year. She's just broken up with her first boyfriend and her friends are all off in different, exciting directions for the next three months. Abby needs a plan--an adventure of her own. Enter: the letters.

They show up one rainy day along with the rest of Abby's recently deceased grandmother's possessions. And these aren't any old letters; they're love letters. Love letters from a mystery man named Edward. Love letters from a mansion on Nantucket. Abby doesn't know much about her grandmother's past. She knows she was born in Germany and moved to the US when she was five, fleeing the Holocaust. But the details are either hazy or nonexistent; and these letters depict a life that is a bit different than the quiet one Abby knows about.

And so, Abby heads to Nantucket for the summer to learn more about her grandmother and the secrets she kept. But when she meets Edward's handsome grandson, who wants to stop her from investigating, things get complicated. As Abby and Noah grow closer, the mysteries in their families deepen, and they discover that they both have to accept the burdens of their pasts if they want the kinds of futures they've always imagined.

Critic reviews

A 2022 Sydney Taylor Honor Book

“The Summer of Lost Letters by Hannah Reynolds is an absolute gem. It’s a story full of love, family, and secrets, told with humor and wisdom. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Spend a perfect Nantucket summer with The Summer of Lost Letters.” —Nancy Thayer, best-selling author of Family Reunion

“A charming and romantic story of family secrets and buried history, The Summer of Lost Letters wonderfully captures the sun-soaked salt-air days of New England summers and the crackling anticipation of first love. This is the perfect summer read!” —Cameron Lund, author of The Best Laid Plans

“The Summer of Lost Letters has it all—family secrets, mystery, and romance! Hannah Reynolds hit home with this heartwarming story about researching your roots and finding love.” —Simone Elkeles, New York Times bestselling author of Perfect Chemistry

“An idyllic summer beach read that beckons readers to follow Abby and Noah as they explore their families' tangled histories. So romantic and charming!” —Jenn Bennett, author of Chasing Lucky

“This is a confection that will leave readers eager for a summer in Nantucket and their own perfect romance.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The dialogue bubbles with wit (think Gilmore Girls), the Nantucket setting gives a gorgeous backdrop, and the book leans into improbable serendipity with irresistible glee. A breezy read to toss into the beach bag for a long summer day.” —BCCB

“Filled with history, romance, and adventure, Reynolds’ young-adult debut smoothly blends historical elements with romantic summer escapades.” —Booklist

“A blend of romance, history, and a coming-of-age narrative. A fun summer read.” —School Library Journal

"This book is part detective story, part summer romance. An enjoyable read." —School Library Connection

Excellent listen

Feel good book that deals with difficult topics. I do think that at times the young characters seemed more mature than their ages. Nevertheless I recommend this book.

Learning more about the Barbernels

I read "Eight Nights of Flirting" before reading this, and I wish I had read this first because I learned so much more about the Barbernel family. I loved the author's note.
This book had a different tone than "Eight Nights of Flirting," although both books were beautifully written. The author did such a good job painting pictures with her descriptions. I loved Noah and Abby, and the writer was adept at showing what kind of people they were. I felt like I knew them and wish I did.
I also loved Abby's mother and grandmother. I feel the same way about my mom and grandmother that Abby did and I miss them, and my dad, every day. My grandmother left Lithuania in the late 1890s to escape the pogroms. She was engaged to be married, but she never saw her fiance again, and met my grandfather in America. My dad was a medic in World War 2, and a liberator of concentration camps.

The research Abby did looking for her grandmother was so interesting, and I loved being with her on that search.
I hope there will be more stories about the Barbernels. What a great book--it made me love my family and being Jewish even more!

Wonderful performance

The book is beautifully written but even more beautifully performed. Imani Jade Powers' performance is a gem. What a lyrical, captivating voice she has.

Loved

This book, while fiction, told the story of a teenage girl finding out more about her grandmother who was sent to the US during WWII for her safety. It chronicles her discoveries, her amazing summer on beautiful Nantucket, and the joys and heartache of falling in love. I highly recommend it!

Five star read

The story, the history, the letters! Everything about this book was enjoyable to listen to! Great author and the reader did exceptionally well too!