The Summer We Got Free

by Mia McKenzie
The Summer We Got Free cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Literary Fiction
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  • ID: 5944
  • Added: 2025-10-27
  • Updated: 2025-10-27
  • ISBN: 9780988628601
  • Publisher: Bgd Press, Incorporated
  • Published: 2012-01-01
  • Reviews: 3

Once a vibrant artist and free spirit, Ava Delaney's life is forever altered by a violent incident that shatters her family's reputation and their standing in the community. The Delaneys are shunned by their neighbors and church, leading to a bitter, seventeen-year feud that leaves them isolated within their own home. The arrival of a mysterious woman disrupts the fragile balance of Ava's life, stirring up long-buried memories and emotions. As the past resurfaces, Ava begins to shed her indifferent exterior and reconnect with the passionate artist she once was. However, this transformation comes at a cost, threatening her well-being and ultimately her life. The Summer We Got Free is a powerful exploration of trauma, identity, and the enduring power of art. It won the 2013 Lambda Literary Award for Debut Fiction, highlighting its significant impact on readers and the literary community.

Reviews
Lesbrary · Danika · 2015-09-06
engaging 4.00

The male characters were found to be unsympathetic and flat compared to the other well-developed characters. The book offers a unique and engaging narrative with a few minor flaws.

Danika found the male characters in the book to be a bit flat and unsympathetic, which was their only complaint. They appreciated the depth and complexity of the other characters and the overall narrative. The book's unique blend of magical realism and its exploration of family and community dynamics were particularly praised. Despite the minor issue with the male characters, the book was found to be a compelling and thought-provoking read.

Quick quotes

    The only complaint I had with this book was that I found the male characters unsympathetic and a bit flat in comparison with all the other major characters.

    The book offers a unique and engaging narrative that explores themes of family, community, and personal growth.

    McKenzie's writing style is both poetic and accessible, making the book a pleasure to read.

HuffPost · HuffPost · 2013-10-03
profound 4.50

The book offers a level of dimensionality to our experiences that isn't often seen. The themes of looking deeper and exploring personal growth are particularly strong.

The reviewer found the book to offer a unique and profound exploration of personal experiences, delving into themes that are often overlooked. The narrative's focus on looking deeper and exploring personal growth was particularly strong and resonated with the reviewer. The book's blend of magical realism and emotional depth made it a compelling and thought-provoking read. The reviewer appreciated the author's ability to create a rich and immersive world that drew them in and kept them engaged throughout.

Quick quotes

    I think it offers a level of dimensionality of our experiences that isn't often seen.

    One theme of the book is the idea of looking deeper, of exploring the layers of our experiences and the people around us.

    The book's blend of magical realism and emotional depth makes it a compelling and thought-provoking read.

Autostraddle · Autostraddle · 2013-05-13
surprising 4.25

The magical realism elements were a pleasant surprise and added depth to the narrative. The book is praised for its risks and unique storytelling.

The reviewer was pleasantly surprised by the magical realism elements in the book, which added a layer of depth and intrigue to the narrative. They appreciated the risks taken by the author as a first-time novelist, which made the book stand out. The exploration of themes such as family, community, and personal growth was particularly noteworthy. The book was found to be a compelling and thought-provoking read, with a unique blend of magical realism and emotional depth.

Quick quotes

    I was pleasantly surprised by the magical realism elements. It was yet another example of the risks McKenzie takes as a first time novelist.

    The book offers a unique and engaging narrative that explores themes of family, community, and personal growth.

    McKenzie's writing style is both poetic and accessible, making the book a pleasure to read.

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