Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Spotlight of The Summers Between Us by Noreen Nanja


PHOTO SOURCE:
TYPORAMA

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THE SUMMERS BETWEEN US
 NOREEN NANJA
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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF DANIELLE LESAGE | MANAGER, PUBLICITY & MARKETING | PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE CANADA
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A decade apart, a painful secret—can two childhood sweethearts find their way back to a love that defies cultures and time?

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May 13, 2025

 

Trade Paperback

Random House Canada

 

Fiction - Romance

Contemporary Fiction

Coming Of Age

 Family Life

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PRAISE FOR THE SUMMERS BETWEEN US:


"Seamlessly traveling between the past and the present, The Summers Between Us is a deeply emotional and moving second chance romance. Noreen Nanja’s craft shines and I was fully taken by these characters and their journey together and apart and together again over the years. A truly brilliant debut!" Naina KumarUSA Today bestselling author of Say You'll Be Mine

"Brimming with poignant and heartfelt commentary on diasporic families, immigrant values, and multi-generational conflict, Noreen Nanja’s stunning debut, 
The Summers Between Us, is, at its core, everything a second chance romance should be: hopeful, full of tension and yearning, and so genuine that you can’t help but remember the first time you fell in love. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait for what Noreen gifts us with next!" Aurora Palit, author of Sunshine and Spice

"A debut novel that masterfully weaves in the angst and tension of second chance romance with the complexities of immigrant family dynamics, Noreen Nanja's The Summers Between Us is an emotional journey through the highs and lows of first kisses, near-misses, and rediscovering who you are and what you truly need from love." Swati Hegde, author of Match Me If You Can and Can't Help Faking in Love

"Noreen Nanja's The Summers Between Us is a poignant, beautifully crafted tale about identity, second chances, and finding where we truly belong. This book will make your heart feel full!" Katrina Kwan, author of Knives, Seasoning, and a Dash of Love

"The Summers Between Us is a spectacular debut! Readers everywhere will root for Lia as she navigates second chances, family, and identity. While this story provides plenty of summer nostalgia, it's perfect to curl up with any time of the year. Noreen Nanja is a writer to watch!" Saumya Dave, author of The Guilt Pill and Well-Behaved Indian Women

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The Summers Between Us by Noreen Nanja is a heartwarming second chance romance! I adored the Ontario cottage country setting and the layered characters, and was rooting for Lia and Wes to overcome their pasts and find their way back to each other. The cultural specificity and complicated family dynamics resulted in an engrossing page-turner. A wonderful debut!" Farah Heron, author of Accidentally Engaged and Just Playing House

"The Summers Between Us is a beautifully written debut about love, family, and identity that is sure to stick with readers long after the last page. I loved it from beginning to end." Etta Easton, author of The Kiss Countdown and The Love Simulation


**PRAISE TAKEN FROM THE BOOK'S AMAZON PAGE**

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ABOUT THE SUMMERS BETWEEN US:

Lia Juma thought she’d buried the dreams of her heart long ago. 

But when she’s forced to return to her family’s summer cottage on Pike Bay, the life she’s carefully crafted begins to unravel.

The perfect immigrant daughter, Lia has carved out a successful career as a corporate lawyer and has just started dating a man who fulfills all her mother's criteria for the ideal son-in-law.

But underneath her polished life lies a secret she’s never spoken of—one she fears could have destroyed her family a decade ago.

Back at the bay, Lia stumbles upon memories she thought were long forgotten and, at the center of it all, is Wesley Forest—the boy she left behind, the boy who knew her dreams better than anyone.

Their friendship and young love once burned bright, woven through long sun-drenched days and whispered promises of a future together.

But when family pressures and heartbreak pulled the two lovers apart, they were forced to follow separate paths.

Now, Wes is back in her life, and with him, old wounds and feelings surface. 

As the two confront the choices and secrets that divided them as teenagers, Lia must decide if she can heal from the past and finally embrace the life and love she’s always craved. 

Could a second chance with Wes be worth risking everything for?

Told over the course of five years in the past and one summer in the present, Lia will discover that sometimes, the only way forward is Through the heart’s deepest scars.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


NOREEN NANJA is a Toronto-based contemporary romance writer.

A second-generation immigrant from the Indian diaspora, Noreen’s writing explores themes of identity, race and belonging, wrapped in stories of romantic and familial love.

Noreen studied Psychology and English Literature at McGill University, received her MD from the University of Calgary, and now practices as a pediatric neurologist.

When she is not writing or reading, she can be found spending time with her partner and their adorable dog and exploring local bookstores.

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SOCIAL MEDIA:

Instagram

Threads

Twitter

Goodreads

Website

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Monday, May 12, 2025

The Banned Books of Berlin by Daisy Wood

We meet Freya in 1930 in Berlin as she struggles to survive and as Hitler starts to get his power.

Then we meet Maddie in 2024, the great granddaughter of Freya, when she returns home to Los Angeles after an awful incident at work.


While helping her grandfather throw out things, Maddie finds a diary that her  grandmother had written.  What an incredible find!!


What does Maddie find? 


You will love Freya and Maddie, and the storyline will keep you glued to the pages with both timelines holding your interest.


Freya keeps you biting your nails as she tries to hide books along with other ordeals.


Maddie will have you rooting for her to succeed at what she is wishing for.


THE BANNED BOOKS OF BERLIN is a tribute to how important books are and will have you reading non-stop.  5/5


Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book.  All opinions are my own.



It's Monday!! What Are YOU Reading? - 5/12/2025

                              http://bookdate.blogspot.com/

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I hope you had a great reading week.
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This is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at BOOK DATE!

Post the books completed, the books you are currently reading, and the books you hope to finish at some point.
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Books Completed:

THE GUEST COTTAGE by Lori Foster - review will be on May 31, 2025.

LOVED the characters - very uplifting and heartwarming.

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BEFORE DOROTHY by Hazel Gaynor - review will be on June 20, 2025.

Ohhh....this is so good!!  I hope everyone gets to read this book.  It's about Auntie Em before Dorothy comes to live with her.  You will LOVE Auntie Em.

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LAST DANCE BEFORE DAWN by Katharine Schellman - spotlight will be on June 19, 2025.

It was the fourth book in the series - I didn't realize that and wasn't following the storyline.

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HAZEL SAYS NO by Jessica Berger Gross - review will be on June 18, 2025.

Pretty good read.

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SHAW CONNOLLY LIVES TO TELL Gillian French - Spotlight will be June 17, 2025.

Wasn't connecting with me.

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THE ENGLISH MASTERPIECE by Katherine Reay - review will be on June 10, 2025.

A slow start, but worth the wait.

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THE EXPAT AFFAIR by Kimberly Belle - review will be on June 9, 2025.

Not a favorite of hers for me.

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THE FAMINE ORPHANS by Patricia Falvey - review will be on June 6, 2025.

LOVED it - based on a true historical event.  

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THE GHOSTWRITER by Julie Clark - review will be on June 3, 2025.

A slow startup, but finishes with a bang.

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LIE LIKE THE DEVIL by Birgitte Margen - spotlight will be on June 2, 2025.

A bit too brutal for me.

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WHISPERS OF DEAD GIRLS by Marlee Bush - review will be on May 30, 2025.

A pretty good mystery/thriller.

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BEACH HOUSE RULES by Kristy Woodson Harvey - review will be on May 29, 2025.

An ok read - could have been shorter and with fewer characters.

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THE BUSYBODY BOOK CLUB by Freya Sampson - review will be on May 28, 2025.

Another sweet read by Ms. Sampson.

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THE MARTHA'S VINEYARD BEACH AND BOOK CLUB by Martha Hall Kelly - spotlight will be on May 27, 2025.

It didn't keep my interest.

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MARGUERITE BY THE LAKE by Mary Dixie Carter - review  will be on May 22, 2025.

A pretty good read.

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THE GIRLS OF GOOD FORTUNE by Kristina McMorris - review will be on May 20, 2025.

It is VERY good.

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SUMMER ON CAPE MAY by Monica Garner - review will be on May 19, 2025.

For those who read romance and enjoy strong female friendships.

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THE FORTUNATE HARBOR by Davis Burns - spotlight will be on May 11.

It wasn't my cup of tea.   

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THE BANNED BOOKS OF BERLIN by Daisy Wood - review will be on May 12.

A good historical fiction read.

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PARENTS WEEKEND by Alex Finlay - review is in the book's title.

Not bad, but not as good as his other books.

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THE RIVER KNOWS YOUR NAME by Kelly Mustian - review is in the book's title.

Excellent - a beautiful read.

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SUCH A GOOD MOM by Julia Spiro - review is in the book's title.

A good mystery.

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TOUGH LUCK by Sandra Dallas - review is in the book's title.

Another delightful read with delightful characters.

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Book Currently Reading:

DON'T OPEN YOUR EYES by Liv Constantine - review will be on June 23, 2025.

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Books Up Next:

BEYOND THIS PLACE OF WRATH AND TEARS by Jack Ford - spotlight will be on June 27, 2025.

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THE SUMMER OF STARTING OVER by Savannah Carlisle - review will be on June 29, 2025.

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PARTY OF LIARS Kelsey Cox - review will be on July 1, 2025.

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THE NIGHT SPARROW by Shelly Sanders - review wil be on July 4, 2025.

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THE LAKE ESCAPE by Jamie Day - review will be on July 15, 2025.

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WAYWARD GIRLS by Susan Wiggs - review will be on July 16, 2025.

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DEATH OF AN EX by Delia Pitts - review will be on July 17, 2025.

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THAT LAST CAROLINA SUMMER by Karen White - review will be on July 22, 2025.

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THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA by Lisa Scottoline - review will be on July 25, 2025.

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THE LIES THEY TOLD by Elle Marie Wiseman - review will be on July 29, 2025.

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ASYLUM HOTEL by Juliet Blackwell - review will be on July 30, 2025.

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THE LOCKED WARD by Sarah Pekkanen - review will be on August 5, 2025.

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THE WRONG SISTER by Claire Douglas - review will be on August 6, 2025.

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MRS. ENDICOTT'S SPLENDID ADVENTURE - review will be on August 8, 2025.

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HIGH SEASON by Katie Bishop - review will be on August 12, 2025.

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THE WITCH'S ORCHARD by Archer Sullivan - review will be on August 13, 2025.

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TOO OLD FOR THIS by Samantha Downing - review will be on August 14, 2025.

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GONE IN THE NIGHT by Joanna Schaffhausen - review will be on August 15, 2025.

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JOY MOODY IS OUT OF TIME by Kerryn Mayne - review will be on August 19, 2025.

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ONE DARK NIGHT by Hannah Richell - review will be on August 20, 2025.

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THE MARIGOLD COTTAGES MURDER COLLECTIVE by Jo Nichols - review will be on August 21, 2025.

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THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW by Pamela Terry - review will be on August 22, 2025.

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THE SECOND CHANCE BUS STOP by Alli Zetterberg - review will be on August 23, 2025.

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FORGET ME NOT by Stacy Willingham - review will be on August 26, 2025.

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THE SECRET BOOK SOCIETY by Madeline Martin - review will be on August 27, 2025.

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BODIES IN THE SAND by Crystal Murphy - review will be on September 1, 2025.

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THE CABERNET CLUB by Margie Zable Fisher and Rona S. Zable - review will be on September 2, 2025.


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THE GIRL IN THE GREEN DRESS by Mariah Fredericks - review will be on September 3, 2025.

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THE RIGHTEOUS by Ronald A. Balson - review will be on September 9, 2025.

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A MURDEROUS BUSINESS by Cathy Pegau - review will be on September 16, 2025.

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NO REST FOR THE WICKED by Rachel Louise Adams - review will be on September 17, 2025.

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THE WASP TRAP by Mark Edwards - review will be on September 19, 2025.

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THE LOST STORY OF EVA FUENTES by Chanel Cleeton - review will be on September 30, 2025.

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DINNER AT THE NIGHT LIBRARY by Hika Harada - review will be on October 1.

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THE HITCHHIKERS by Chevy Stevens - review will be on October 7, 2025.

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THE GALLERY ASSISTANT by Kate Belli - review will be on October 14, 2025.

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THE FORGET-ME-NOT LIBRARY by Heather Webber - review will be on November 4, 2025.

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THE HIDDEN CITY by Charles Finch - review will be on November 5, 2025.

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THE PERFECT HOSTS by Heather Gudenkauf - review will be on November 6, 2025.

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