Book Review: That Summer by Jo Huddleston

As a member of the Chistian Women Affiliate (CWA) I'm given the opportunity to read and review books. I was given a hard copy of That Summer by Jo Huddleston, which is the first book in the Caney Creek Series. Book #2 and book #3 are scheduled to release in April 2013 and September 2013, respectively. The opinions of this review are strickly my own.

From the back of the book: The Great Depression brings devastation to the Southern Appalachians but love's triangle survives.

To escape his poppa’s physical abuse and their dirt-poor farm life, Jim flees to an imagined prosperous city life where he can make his own choices, ignoring God patiently knocking on his heart’s door. Settled in town, Jim strays from God and the way of faith his momma taught him. He meets a girl and loses his heart … and meets another girl and loses his willpower. Jim wrestles with social and moral dilemmas as he makes a choice beside Caney Creek that will alter the lives of five people.

The book begins in 1928 and continues on through the next 2 years. Then, the story picks up again 20 years later in 1950. I don't want to give away the plot or spoilers.

I have mixed feelings about this book, and I don't want to say it was 'bad' because it wasn't. I think the target audience is off somewhat, because I didn't feel like I was reading an adult book. It reads like a preteen/teen book...maybe for ages 11 - 14. There is nothing in That Summer that is objectionable, so it is appropiate for a younger reader. The writing style is simplistic yet very detailed...too detailed in places. The reader gets bogged down in the details as the bigger picture passes by. When I finally wanted to know some details, near the end of Part 1 of That Summer, they weren't there, leaving me frustrated.

Part 2 picks up the story of Jim and his family 20 years later, and I felt like I missed something in those 20 yrs. I had lots of questions that weren't answered, though I kept hoping they would be answered. Maybe I'm jumping the gun, and I'll get the answers in the next book.

I do like the whole historical context, and what it was like in the Southern Applachians at this time in our history. The author does a good job portraying life in a southern town during the late 1920's.

This is a Christain book, so God does play in important role throughout the book. In a way, God is an actual character in the book.

Overall, I'd rate the book 3 stars for an adult book but 4 stars for a preteen/teen book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Sword of the Spirit Publishing (November 2, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1939219035
• ISBN-13: 978-1939219039
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)