Lindsey Reviews: Cherokee Summer - Susan Antony

Review: Cherokee Summer - Susan Antony - January 2019

Cherokee 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.