Review
Review: Cherokee Summer - Susan Antony - January 2019Cherokee Summer tells the story of Ace McAllister, who is spending the summer in Cherokee, North Carolina with her dysfunctional parents and her brother Zach. Even though she is only 18, Ace has experienced a hard life: her parents have a tumultuous marriage with her mother turning to alcohol to comfort and numb the pain of her father's extra marital flings and Ace is left to cover up her mum's secret alcohol battle and also care for her autistic baby brother. Her mother has invited her friend Susan and her son, Cameron, along for the holidays - hoping that the two will become close. However, a day out white water rafting changes that, when Ace runs into Cherokee John Spears. Although the two don't get off to a brilliant start, gradually they find themselves drawn increasingly to each other and even though from different backgrounds, they have parallel lives in that they both deal with mothers who have substance abuse issues and come from dysfunctional parents. Yet as the pair find themselves falling in love, hurdles are continually thrown into their path to thwart their love which not only challenges the pair but ultimately puts their very lives at risk.What to say about this book? Wow, just wow. I love Native American culture and stories and this novel did not disappoint. It was more than a simple love story - so much more and I sat engrossed in this novel and did not put it down till I finished it that is how good the story was. It started off simply but then the plot really branched out, adding elements of darkness and danger making it a real page turner The author highlighted and dealt with so many issues: issues of race, teenage love, divide, dysfunctional parents and the effects on their children. She detailed the way of the modern day Cherokee and the prejudice which Ace and John faced in their journey to be a couple. The characters were well drawn, very realistic and you found yourself really rooting for Ace and John. The secondary characters were also very appealing and added depth to the story, with their own sub-plots.There is so much I can say about this book - it was like nothing I have ever read before. It was such a wonderful read and I haven't read a book as exciting and original as this in a long time- it blew me away, literally. I hope the writer pens a sequel. Highly recommend.
Posted by The Phantom Paragrapher at 6:57 PMJun 05, 2019From Goodreads Jewel Hart rated it it was amazingCherokee Summer by Susan Antony is a, must read, endearing of story of two young people that meet, become best friends, and fall deeply in love. These two sweet love birds are faced with obstacles, as they struggle within themselves, families, community and unexpected circumstances that stand to keep them from being together.
Spending the summer in Cherokee, NC with her family, Ace never thinks she'd meet someone special and fall in love. But fate steps in and she meets, John, a Cherokee tribe member and native North Carolinian. Despite their cultural differences, Ace and John are undeniably drawn to one another, and find a deep connection, friendship, and eventually love for each other. They both have many struggles within their families as both of their mothers are alcoholics. Various circumstances stand to destroy them as a couple or keep them apart. Ace and John must trust each other in order to allow their love flourish. They discover when they are together, they find a place of escape from their problems.
If that's not enough, despite their efforts, things get more complicated, and the story changes gears and turns into an exciting action-charged adventure. Readers will be fully captivated and unable to put this book down, while quickly reading to find out what will happen next.
In Cherokee Summer by Susan Antony, the descriptive writing of the settings, objects, scenarios and character's personalities, brought this book to vivid life. Antony's expressive narration pulled me in from the very first chapter and had me fully interested, and absorbed, throughout the entire story. The characters have an authenticity and unique depth to them rarely seen in most contemporary romance novels. The way these characters dealt with alcoholism within their family was very intense, real, and relatable. I appreciated the cleanness of this story as the love between Ace and John is pure and innocent. The mix of modern day practices with the old world traditions within the Native American culture, which author, Susan Antony brought to Cherokee Summer is fascinating and rather brilliant. She is a very good story-teller and an excellent writer. This is the very first book I've read by her and it absolutely won't be the last.
From the Author
Enjoy a modern day love story.
From the Inside Flap
With the bow between my knees and an arrow laced on the string, I lean back and rest. A sharp pain shoots up my leg. I breathe deeply and evenly, willing the pins and needles to settle. My foot is hot, but even the throbbing can't keep my eyes from closing. What's the big deal if I close them for a moment? Nothing bad can happen in a moment...
About the Author
Susan Antony is an IT by day, hip-shaker and writer by night, artist whenever possible, and an internet addict. She lives in the sunny south with her teenage son and two Cairn Terriers.
