REVIEW: "Once Upon a Summer" by Janette Oke

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About the Book:

✦ Title: Once Upon a Summer

✦ Author: Janette Oke


✦ Genre: Christian historical fiction


✦ Series: Book #1 in the Seasons of the Heart series


✦ Recommend for: ages 14+

My Personal Rating

⭐⭐⭐.5

📖 Synopsis

Sure, his family isn't typical-Josh knows that. He's a twelve-year-old orphan being raised by his eighteen-year-old aunt. When Grandpa and Uncle Charlie start making plans to find Auntie Lou a husband-and take away the only mother Josh has ever known-he knows something has to be done. His family has shaped the young man he has become. Now, as he grows into manhood, he begins to face important questions about life, love, and faith. How can he find his way when his whole world threatens to come apart?

Trying desperately to cling to the life he's always had, Josh does what he can to keep his aunt single. But when a preacher comes along, Josh sees that things are going to get complicated.

💭 My thoughts

This story was overall sweet and enjoyable! I thought it was amusing how Josh tried to thwart his sister's marriage, though he also annoyed me at times. In my opinion, he didn't always sound like he was 12, which threw me off a bit. Also, it makes zero sense that he at that age has a crush on his adult teacher...hopefully he knocks it off in the next book 😂 

I don't like books with dogs in them, so those parts weren't for me, and I would warn sensitive dog lovers that there's death of a pet. 

There were certain characters whom I thought were too perfect, and the ending was a little rushed, but I'm still interested in reading the rest of books in this series. 

⚠️ Broad content notes

Death of a pet & grief; mentions of loved ones who died in an accident prior to the book; crushes and flirting, but not too much actual romance.


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Bookishly yours, 


Lottie M

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