The Summer We’ve Had by Katherine Blakeman is a contemporary romance about vulnerability, healing, and love.
Cass Mulligan has had a nightmare couple of years following her celebrity singer mother’s death so she’s moving down to sunny and beautiful Cornwall for a fresh start. Once there she realizes that she’s not the only one in need of some TLC.
Felicity Wilson’s life is one long series of spinning plates. She has Dissociative Identity Disorder, a system of five alternate personalities living in her body. All of whom have different interests, hopes, dreams, and fears.
When Cass and Felicia meet, wonderful friendship blossoms, and soon there is a mutual attraction brewing between Cass and dominant alter, Heather. But if things go wrong, they can go really wrong. Can these two women build a relationship and keep everyone happy?
Pros And My Favourite Parts
Katherine Blakeman does a phenomenal job creating one main character living with Dissociative Identity Disorder and the other living with depression. Felicia’s alters are all well-developed characters with their own voices and personalities. Each one seems to have a particular job in the system and they all work well together to make the character, Felicia. I like that each chapter is labeled who is narrating to help avoid confusion.
Felicia is so unbelievably courageous and strong. What she dealt with as a child at the hands of people who were supposed to care for her was awful and disturbing but she persevered and is an admirable woman who craves being accepted.
The last few years have been difficult for Cass, her mother’s death has left her with severe depression and her therapist pushes her to get out and try something new. Taking his advice, Cass leaves London and heads to Cornwall to work as a teacher’s assistant. There she meets her landlord, Mabel, and her daughter Felicia who immediately take it upon themselves to help Cass live a little.
Cass and Felicia strike up a quick friendship and Cass is immediately supportive when Felicia’s dominant alter, Heather, explains their Dissociative Identity Disorder. Felicia or rather Heather slowly introduces Cass to the other alters. This show of vulnerability was really heartwarming and as Cass gets to know them, the stronger their bond becomes.
Cons And Heads Up
This book deals with many elements of trauma that could be triggering for some readers.
The Conclusion
Katherine Blakeman is an amazing author who isn’t afraid to touch on subjects that most authors stay away from. She takes the subject of mental health and deals with it astoundingly, showing us the realities people face. I am astounded that she penned this novel as a teenager! The world is her oyster and I can’t wait to see what she does next! Run…don’t walk to get your hands on a copy of this book!
Excerpt from The Summer We’ve Had by Katherine Blakeman
“Who is it?” she called, even though she knew full well.
“It’s Felicia!” came the reply. “Just checking in to see if you’re okay!”
“I’m fine! Just a bit busy at the moment, okay?”
“Can I come in?”
Cass groaned again, in her head. The last thing she needed was Felicia to come in and judge the state of the place. But she couldn’t exactly say that, because that was rude. While she was contemplating what to do, Felicia called again, “I’m worried about you. Can I at least see that you’re all right?”
“Fine.” Cass was more abrupt than she’d intended. “Just don’t judge the mess.”
That had been the first step. Taking a few steps inside, Felicia hadn’t batted an eyelid at the stuff sprawled everywhere. She just regarded Cass for a moment, then said, “You’re not fine, are you?”
And that had been that. At Felicia’s insistence, she’d put on a clean set of clothes in preparation for going over to theirs.
Get It Online
When you use the links in this review and buy within 24 hours of clicking then we get a small commission that helps us run the site and it costs you nothing extra
Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 979-8361238262
Publisher: Indie Author
If you enjoyed The Summer We’ve Had by Katherine Blakeman then you should also look at
Note: I received a free review copy of The Summer We’ve Had by Katherine Blakeman. No money was exchanged for this review. When you use our links to buy we get a small commission which supports the running of this site
