Book Summary and Reviews of Summer of Love by Kerri Maher

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Bridgette_T

All Wrapped Up With A Bow
From "I'm not sure about this hippie-dippy 1967 situation" to "holy sht, 5 stars."

I'm not going to lie, I almost DNF'd this book in Winnie & Miranda's first chapters, but I am so glad I stuck it out. About the time I was ready to abandon the story in 1967, I became heavily invested in Dawn's 2015 journey.

There were moments of "am I reading this right?" and "holy sht!" but everything comes together in a way that makes the earlier confusion worth it.

Multiple POVs and timelines are a personal favorite of mine, and this story did not disappoint. There's even an additional twist I won't spoil for you, but it was ??.

My first 5-star read of the year. A must-read for anyone grappling with following dreams and finding your place in the world. No one is ever too old to reach for their summer of love.

And I especially love that we get a glimpse of what comes after—the hard work done, the love learned, and everyone finally getting to just live. A beloved happy ending and a peek behind the curtain… all tied up with a bow.

Joy_B

Healing through storytelling
The cover doesn't do this book justice. This a book that begins in the 1967 Summer of Love and follows the consequences of free love and substance abuse. Three generations of stories unfold exploring the impact of addiction and lies and the struggles and rewards while moving towards sobriety.

Coming to grips with the past, forgiveness and forging a future are the main themes.
The belief that storytelling is healing was explored through out this text and as an avid reader I have to agree.

Angela_W

2026 Summer must read novel
I hope Summer of Love is the must-read book of Summer 2026. This gorgeously written novel explores the secrets, heartbreak, and healing of the Hartley women in California wine country. I loved every word, every emotion, and every moment of pain.

I highly recommend this book. It's an absolutely beautifully written story about sisters, set against the historical fiction backdrop of the counterculture revolution in San Francisco and the rise of women leaders in the wine industry.

Thank you to BookBrowse for providing an early copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. I loved this book and highly recommend it. 5 stars.

Vivian_H

A Thought Provoking Story of the California Wine Country & Sobriety
The Summer of Love encompasses many themes from the era of sex, love & rock 'n roll to the present day with the overall focus on the trajectory of one family, secrets, addiction to alcohol or drugs or people and their journey to find peace & serenity.
My first husband was an alcoholic who died too young because of his addiction. I spent many years in Alanon learning self care and following the steps associated with my program. Just yesterday, I met a woman struggling with her husband's addiction. Alcoholism is an insidious disease that destroys lives, families, futures and relationships.

Kerri Maher weaves a story that shows the devastation as well as the resilience of those who find a way to sobriety. For me, the book is uplifting, encouraging and a brave examination of the author's own struggle.

I am grateful to Netgalley and BookBrowse for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lyris

When the Truth is Found
1967 Haight Asbury was the place to be wearing flowers in your hair, enjoying free love, powerful music, and turning on, tuning in and maybe dropping out. It seemed so ideal and for a time, it was.

This is the backdrop of the story of a California Napa Valley wine family. Winnie is a free spirit while her sister Miranda is the serious one. Their mother, Joan is left to run the family winery after her husband's alcoholic suicide. Dawn is Joan's granddaughter. All are affected by family secrets, addictions, love gone wrong, and ultimately by recovery.

If only we could all subscribe to the "all good things in moderation" dictum, but wine, like life in the Haight – when consumed to excess - is depicted as the family's downfall. Miranda is the only one who actually enjoys the wine for its taste – who refines the grapes to produce better product and who generally drinks sparingly. Everyone else drinks for the feeling – or the blocking of feeling - and that's where things fall apart.

This seems to be a cautionary tale. It also raises the issue of inherited addictive tendencies – Dawn seems to embody the nature vs. nurture example here.

However, there is definitely hope. Recovery is depicted as real people helping each other. As one person notes, this is the only disease cured by storytelling. People sharing and taking care of each other make a difference. Interestingly, t's a fictional story about a heroine named Phoebe that leads Dawn to finding help, her family, her true self and ultimately healing and love.

Since I grew up during the sixties, I identified with the ideals of the hippies and also with the characters in this book. And I still definitely enjoy a good glass of wine – for the taste – and in moderation.

Highly recommend this book – it would be excellent for discussion groups.

Janine_S

Poignant, heartfelt historical fiction
A moving, poignant and loving portrait of three women as they come of age during a "summer of love" separated by forty plus years. It explores the consequences of decisions made hastily but not thoughtfully. And, it is a stunning tribute to a golden age and to women.

Set in a dual time line that alternates between 1967-1970s and 2015, this book deals with three women: Winifred ("Winnie"), her sister, Miranda, and Dawn. Winnie and Miranda are daughters of a Napa winery owner. Winnie is a free spirit and artist, taking off after college gradation, while Miranda assumes a role in the winery. The turbulent 60s and its counterculture takes Winnie down a spiraling road to a broken heart.

Returning to her roots yo recover, she grapples with being back at the winery as she renews her ties with Miranda. But when she is lured back to her love, Winnie finds that heartbreak is her decision and other consequences are her burden. She hands these to Miranda as she runs away. In 2015 we meet Dawn struggling with alcoholism and discovering a book that has deep meaning to her and her family.

Seeking answers she uncovers the most closely guarded family secret. I loved the writing, the story, the characters, the setting - I've been to Sonoma, Temecula but not Napa, but the beauty of any winery does not escape me. The book captured my interest immediately and based on what the author wrote in her Afterword, she exquisitely captured the essence of this California setting. Having grown up in the 60s, I kept hearing.

"California Dreaming" as I read and the historical element to this book is well done.
This is a book for lovers of historical fiction that’s honest, real and heartfelt. Highly recommend.

Thank you BookBrowse/NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for giving me access to this ARC.

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