Review: Mystic Summer by Hannah McKinnon

Title: Mystic Summer by Hannah McKinnon
Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Length: 304 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

A chance run-in with a college boyfriend puts a young woman’s picture-perfect life in perspective in this warm-hearted and lyrical novel—from the author of The Lake Season.

Since finishing graduate school, Maggie Griffin has worked hard to build an enviable life in Boston. She’s an elementary school teacher in a tony Boston suburb, a devoted sister, and a loving aunt. With her childhood best friend’s wedding quickly approaching and her own relationship blossoming, this is the summer she has been waiting for.

But when Maggie’s career is suddenly in jeopardy, her life begins to unravel. Stricken, Maggie returns home to seaside Mystic, Connecticut, where she expects to find comfort in family and familiarity. Instead, she runs into Cameron Wilder, a young man from her past who has also returned home, and whose life has taken a turn that puts Maggie’s city struggles in harsh perspective. When tragedy strikes for Cameron, Maggie is faced with big decisions as she weighs what matters most and strives to stay true to the person she’s become.

Set against the gorgeous backdrop of a New England summer when past and present collide, Mystic Summer is a gorgeous novel about looking back, moving forward, and the beauty that blooms when fate intervenes.

Review:

With an idyllic seaside setting and a delightful cast of characters, Mystic Summer by Hannah McKinnon is a heartwarming novel of family and friendship.

Maggie Griffin’s life is going just as planned: she has a wonderful job teaching elementary school, she has a terrific boyfriend and she remains close to her family despite living out of state.  However, with her best friend (and roommate) Erika’s wedding fast approaching, Maggie cannot help but feel like everyone is moving on without her.  Just she learns her position might be eliminated due to budget cuts, Erika’s wedding hits a major snag and Maggie suggests they move the nuptials to their hometown. Needing some time away, she volunteers to oversee the wedding preparations in Mystic and soon after her arrival, Maggie runs into her old college flame, Cameron Wilder.  While she and Cameron enjoy revisiting their favorite spots and reminiscing about the past, Maggie puts off making any decisions about her future.

Maggie is loyal, kindhearted and often puts others needs in front of her own.  Although she is thrilled that Erika is marrying the man of her dreams, she knows their friendship will be forever altered.  Dreading living on her own, Maggie has put off looking for a new apartment while secretly hoping she and her boyfriend, Evan, will move in together.  While she has been perfectly content with her relationship, once she reconnects with Cameron, she begins noticing little things about Evan that irritate her. Her friends and family certainly think that Evan is the perfect man for her, but Maggie is beginning to have doubts about their future together.  After Cameron faces an unexpected crisis, Maggie cannot help but wonder if there is room for her in his life.

Despite a few serious undertones, Mystic Summer is a light-hearted read with minimal angst or drama. The characters are multi-layered and well-rounded and the situations they are dealing with are realistic and easy to relate to. An absolutely charming novel with a heartfelt and uplifting storyline that readers of contemporary fiction are sure to love.