#BookReview: Hurricane Summer by Asha Bromfield

Synopsis: Tilla has spent her entire life trying to make her father love her. But every six months, he leaves their family and returns to his true home: the island of Jamaica.

When Tilla’s mother tells her she’ll be spending the summer on the island, Tilla dreads the idea of seeing him again, but longs to discover what life in Jamaica has always held for him.

In an unexpected turn of events, Tilla is forced to face the storm that unravels in her own life as she learns about the dark secrets that lie beyond the veil of paradise—all in the midst of an impending hurricane.

Hurricane Summer is a powerful coming of age story that deals with colorism, classism, young love, the father-daughter dynamic—and what it means to discover your own voice in the center of complete destruction. 



Goodreads | Amazon

Rating: 2 Stars
My Review: This story was so negative that I just don't even know how I got through it.  It dealt with some very deep and heavy topics which I think should be done.  But the pitfall of this story was that those topics were done in such a way to make this book very hard to read and very depressing. We are shown one thing but being told another.  Which made it very confusing on what to believe.  A great example is that the MC talks about how amazing and beautiful Jamaica is but we the reader are only shown horrible things.  I think overall that this would be a book for the class room for teenagers to pick apart and do writings on it. If you decide to try this one out I would be prepared for one depressing time. 

From School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up-Tilla is a Jamaican Canadian teen traveling to Jamaica with her younger sister to visit their father, who she hasn't seen for a year. The carefree vacation never materializes, as her father's business obligations and a hurricane headed toward Jamaica throw her plans off course. Tilla is thrown into an unfamiliar world where her father has kinglike status in the family compound. Her aunts and uncles all look to him for advice, money, and other resources. Her favorite cousin Andre isn't allowed to go to school and is made fun of because of his dark brown skin. Tilla soon finds that being her father's daughter makes her a target for her Aunt Herma's sharp tongue, her cousin Diana and Diana's friend Zory's pranks, and the wanted and unwanted attention of two young men. When the hurricane hits, more than land is destroyed. Tilla must now decide which relationships need to be rescued from the rubble, and which she'll leave behind. This is an excellent examination of the ways wealth, gender, and color can shape and at times create mental and emotional fractures. The men and boys in the story are steeped in a mix of toxic masculinity and male vulnerability. The relationships among girls and women paint a compelling picture of how femininity can be weaponized. VERDICT A great title for public and high school libraries looking for books that offer a nuanced look at patriarchy, wealth, and gender dynamics.-Desiree Thomas, Worthington Lib., OHα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

* One of Indigo Canada's Best Books of 2021 * 

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, "The Best YA Novels to Read This Summer"

THE NEW YORK TIMES, "13 Y.A. Books to Add to Your Reading List This Spring"

FLORIDA KEYS WEEKLY, "Staff Picks for Best Read, Watch & Listen" 

BUZZFEED, "40 Contemporary Books We're Looking Forward To Reading In 2021"

BUZZFEED, "37 Must-Read YA Books By Black Authors That Come Out The First Half Of This Year"

"... sharp observations about cultural difference, class implications, economic privilege, and colorism... Prose about Tilla’s reflections and the glory of the countryside is accessible yet sumptuous..." ―The Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books 

"This is an excellent examination of the ways wealth, gender, and color can shape and at times create mental and emotional fractures. Verdict: A great title for public and high school libraries looking for books that offer a ­nuanced look at patriarchy, wealth, and gender dynamics." ―School Library Journal (starred review)

"Bromfield may have made a name for herself for her role on Riverdale, but with this debut, about a volatile father-daughter relationship and discovering the ugly truths hidden beneath even the most beautiful facades, she is establishing herself as a promising writer...this is a must." ―Booklist (starred review)

"Searingly beautiful, heartfelt, and full of strength. I could not put it down and even when done, I held it tight to my heart. Bromfield is the storm we've all been waiting for." ―Tiffany D. Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of Grown and Monday's Not Coming

"Hurricane Summer is a gorgeous story that radiates with resilience and bravely drops hard truths. Asha Bromfield will take readers by storm in her captivating debut about discovering yourself when your world is out of control." ―Adam Silvera, New York Times bestselling author of They Both Die at the End

"Stunningly written. An unflinching coming-of-age novel that bravely demands an audience to the cost of life's pain & the rewards of all its beauty. Wow." ―Courtney Summers, New York Times bestselling author of Sadie

About the Author

Asha Bromfield is an actress, singer, and writer of Afro-Jamaican descent. She is known for her role as Melody Jones, drummer of Josie and the Pussycats in CW’s Riverdale. She also stars as Zadie Wells in Netflix’s hit show, Locke and Key. Asha is a proud ambassador for the Dove Self-Esteem Project, and she currently lives in Toronto where she is pursuing a degree in Communications. In her spare time, she loves studying astrology, wearing crystals, burning sage, baking vegan desserts, and taking walks to the park with her dogs Luka and Kyra. Hurricane Summer is her debut novel.

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Posted in: 2 Stars, Netgalley, Review, Wednesdays Books, Young Adult