The Edge of Summer

The Edge of Summer by Viola Shipman is about a woman's journey to learn more about her family's history. Sutton Douglas lost her mother to COVID. Her mother was the only family she had left or so she thought. Her mother refused to answer questions about her past except to say she lost everyone in a house fire. Sutton's mother leaves her a letter that sends her on a quest to learn more. Sutton gives up her job, sells her condo in Chicago, and moves to a resort town in Michigan. Sutton is feeling lost since her mother's death, and she is hoping that learning about the family's history will help her figure things out. I thought The Edge of Summer was well-written with developed characters. The pacing is slower than I prefer as Sutton deals with her grief, moves, and remembers special times with her mother. Anyone who has suffered a loss or was impacted by COVID will find some of the scenes difficult to read. The Edge of Summer is an emotional story. We join Sutton on her quest for information and, hopefully, to find a family member. We also get to see how Sutton and her mother, Miss Mabel, made it through challenging times. Sutton's mother provided her with wisdom that can help guide her throughout the rest of her life. Buttons are featured prominently in the story. I could understand Miss Mabel's fascination with buttons. There are some unique and beautiful buttons. They have an interesting history. There are good life lessons in this book. We get to see that a family can be more than people who are related to you by blood. You can create your own family that consists of those you love and who love you in return. The Edge of Summer is a story about secrets, grief, family, truth, acceptance, friendship, and romance. Pack your bag for your journey to lovely Lake Michigan in the touching tale The Edge of Summer.