Summer, in Between is the pitch perfect debut novel by Australian author Holly Cardamone.
Seventeen-year-old Cat Kelty is counting down the days before she starts year 12. The most important year of her life! As all her friends have gone away for the holidays, she plans to bury herself in her books. She needs top marks in her final year to get into University and out of the small beachside town she calls home.
Summer, in Between will bring back all the feels of that first summer romance. The sun, sand and hot chips on the beach. The story follows Cat as she falls for walking surfer god Paul Lightwood when he is employed by her father to work on their house renovations and follows the ups and downs of their relationship during the summer break.
I loved Cat's family! Her parents were affectionate, loud and often embarrassing. Her brothers were such typical little brothers, annoying and obnoxious, but loveable. Cat's nonna was outspoken and cantankerous. The quintessential Italian grandmother. She was my favourite character.
Cat does come across as very judgy of her peers, and yes, actually stuck up, as she attends a private school and thinks she is better than the public school students. She complains about them calling her names but also has derogatory names for them. I'll just put that down to teenage self centredness.
I loved Cat's fiery temper and determination. Her teenage hormones were all over the place especially where Paul was concerned.
Summer. in Between is a funny and heartfelt read and I found it hard to put aside, and read it in a day, as I became involved in the lives of Cat's whole family.
I was eager for Cat to have her forever with Paul but also attain her dream of going to University.
Holly has given her readers an honest portrayal of teens. They like to party and indulge in underage drinking. They overreact, make bad decisions and spread gossip.
Holly leaves the story beyond the story up to the reader. What happens after that final page? I would love a sequel when Holly and Paul are a bit older - they are characters I didn't want to let go of.
I did think there should have been more phone use included. Teens are never off them, snapchat, tiktok, taking photos, sending texts. I felt a bit like they were living in the 90's.
My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content: underage drinking
alludes to consensual sex
Publisher: Hawkeye Publishing
Publication date: 16th September 2025
Genre: Young Adult / Romance
Pages: 270
RRP: AU$29.99
Source: Courtesy of the publisher