Allison’s Book Report: “Summer’s Never Over” by Darby Bozeman

Hello, readers. As always, I'm out here looking for the best summer reads and I think that I struck gold this week. If you are looking for a suspenseful mystery that perfectly blends nostalgic summer camp vibes with deep, dark secrets, Darby Bozeman's debut novel, "Summer's Never Over," is exactly what you need to add to your reading list.

The story follows Greer Olsen, a young woman who reluctantly returns to her family's remote summer camp, Dreads Cove, tucked away in the scenic mountains of Georgia. Five years prior, Greer's idyllic camp life completely fell apart during a nightmare season. A mysterious figure known as the Phantom began terrorizing the campground with eerie acts of vandalism, culminating in a horrific, devastating event that tore her close-knit group of friends apart. Shattered by grief and intense guilt, Greer fled the property and vowed she would absolutely never look back.

However, everything changes when Greer's mother unexpectedly passes away right before the camp's highly anticipated grand reopening. Honoring her mother's final wishes, Greer finds herself dragged back to Dreads Cove for a bittersweet "Welcome Back Weekend." She isn't the only one returning to the scene of the tragedy, though. The campground quickly fills up with a cast of familiar faces from that fateful season, including Chelsea, her former childhood best friend, two of Greer's past romantic flames named Wes and Trevor, and a fiercely loyal peer, Margo.

The tension spikes immediately because Margo has never believed that the past tragedy was a simple, random accident. Instead, she is convinced someone walks among them who knows exactly what happened, and she is determined to unearth an explosive secret before the weekend ends. Soon enough, the terrifying Phantom resurfaces, unleashing a fresh wave of threats that prove the danger never actually left the woods. Told through a highly engaging dual-timeline format, the narrative constantly jumps between the chaotic events of five years ago and the high-stakes pressure of the present weekend. Bozeman masterfully cranks up the heat, exploring complex themes of intense female friendship, heavy grief, and questionable loyalties. Greer is ultimately forced to make a harrowing choice between protecting her family's legacy or finally braving the terrifying truth of what happened that summer. It is an addictive, slow-burn thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page.

"Summer's Never Over" would be great to crack open and read by the pool or the beach — or, if you're feeling brave, take it camping in the woods. Wherever you read it, I just know that you won't be able to put it down. Regardless of where you choose to read, don't forget to check out my Instagram @allison.the.reader for more book recommendations and book-related fun.