Review: The Summer of Starting Over by Savannah Carlisle Has Its Moments

Book Nerd
Mar 26
4 min read

Thank you to Harpeth Road Press for an advanced reader copy of Savannah Carlisle's April 2025 release, The Summer of Starting Over.

The Summer of Starting Over by Savannah Carlisle — Image: Harpeth Road Press

The Summer of Starting Over Is a Typical Beachy, Small-Town Romance

Country-singer-turned-pop-star Callie Jackson's career is in a shambles. After being discovered at age sixteen during Big Dune Island's annual Beach Bash, she skyrockets to stardom, which plucks her away from home and her first love, Jesse Thomas.

As Callie fights to be released from her record label, a label that has transformed her musical genre and her image, she returns to her family home to clear it out for a pending sale. Oddly, Jesse's construction company is the one updating her house for the flip.

Expecting to feel sadness at the emptiness of her home since her parents' passing, Callie is surprisingly inspired and comforted in the familiar space. The longer she stays in Big Dune Island, the more she hates the thought of leaving, especially once she finds herself through music again and reignites sparks with Jesse.

Honest Review of The Summer of Starting Over by Savannah Carlisle

The first half of the book does not grab the reader for a few reasons. It's too formulaic, and the strict adherence to standard writing protocols sabotages its capacity for uniqueness. The characters lack depth, the tropes are too obvious, and the dialogue and behaviors of the main characters generate a young adult vibe that is off-putting for mature readers. Strike one.

In our current cultural climate, more books are including "woke" talking points to appease a potential "progressive" audience. This book includes a sentence that is similar to one that is gaining steam in Hallmark scripts: The universe has a way of guiding us back to the people and the places that truly matter. Saying "the universe" is the latest approach to label "fate" in a way that purposefully ignores the possibility of Divine Intervention. Strike two.

Callie's friend Gigi, an attorney, also states, The good old boys' club is still alive and well, I see. You know I love taking on entitled white men. In one sentence, the author manages to rail against the patriarchy, earn points with militant feminists, and white shame. Strike three.

At the first hint of wokeness in books, I normally stop reading and make it a point never to revisit the author. Since this is an ARC, however, I remain committed to finishing and sharing an honest review.

The second half of the book demonstrates marked improvement despite the forced conflict. As in many stereotypical sweet romances, couples stop speaking to each other for a conflict that could be easily resolved in a 60-second dialogue. It's grating. Still, the character arcs smoothly reach completion, the dual point of view toggles seamlessly, a dabble of mystery is introduced, the writing itself shines with heightened creativity, a country song is born, and the story draws to a satisfying conclusion--all to the sound of crashing waves, salty air, and beach vibes.

The Summer for Starting Over Is an Easy Read & Includes an Original Song

If you're a reader who craves books you can't put down, The Summer for Starting Over isn't one of those books. You can put it down. You can't lose yourself in it and feel the world melt away between its pages. If you are looking for quick and easy reads to breeze through on the beach, by the pool, or in the dentist office, this one fits. It's not complex or deep, so you can easily pick up where you left off.

While I had hoped this book would be another stellar release from Harpeth Road Press brimming with charm and emotional depth, it didn't meet my expectations.

Don't take my word for it. Check it out for yourself:

The Summer of Starting Over novel by Savannah Carlisle

One unique aspect of this book is that it produces a country music track that is written by the fictional character throughout the course of the story. The recording will be available on Spotify, Apple, and social media once the book is released on April 1.

A Sequel, If I'd Have Known, Is in the Works

If you enjoy The Summer of Starting Over and are curious about what happens next in the lives of the residents of Big Dune Island, then stay tuned for the release of its sequel, If I'd Have Known, in September 2025.

The new novel will revolve around Gigi and Austin--the best friends of Callie and Jesse from this first book in the series.

The teaser for If I'd Have Known includes the following snippets:

Gigi has spent her life rejecting her mother’s traditional expectations, building walls around her heart in the name of independence.

Romance blooms on Big Dune Island in this heartwarming story about family, second chances, and learning that love doesn’t have to mean losing yourself.

I avoid novels that downplay, if not scorn, traditional values. Once upon a time, a woman's dream was to marry Prince Charming and then live happily-ever-after as a wife and mother, finding the ultimate fulfillment in the role God designed for her. This notion permeated movies, books, and other forms of entertainment. While there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with a woman pursuing her passions and career aspirations, the idea that she might lose her independence and herself is the revolting part of the feminist, anti-man platform. If I'd Have Known will be a hard pass for me.

About Savannah Carlisle

Savannah Carlisle is the romance author pen name for Kristi Dosh, a former attorney who established herself as a sports business reporter. To separate her sports enthusiast followers from her romance readers, she developed an alter ego.