"The Myth Of Perpetual Summer" by Susan Crandall

I'm going to go ahead and say it. Susan Crandall's The Myth Of Perpetual Summer is a summer '18 must-read! It is Southern Gothic at it's finest. 

Tallulah James’s parents’ volatile relationship, erratic behavior, and hands-off approach to child rearing set tongues to wagging in their staid Mississippi town, complicating her already uncertain life. She takes the responsibility of shielding her family’s reputation and raising her younger twin siblings onto her youthful shoulders.

If not for the emotional constants of her older brother, Griff, and her old guard Southern grandmother, she would be lost. When betrayal and death arrive hand in hand, she takes to the road, headed to what turns out to be the not-so-promised land of Southern California. The dysfunction of her childhood still echoes throughout her scattered family, sending her brother on a disastrous path and drawing her home again. There she uncovers the secrets and lies that set her family on the road to destruction. ~taken from Goodreads

The story is told from Tallulah's perspective, alternating from present to past. While we slowly learn what is currently happening with her brother's case, we also learn why Tallulah and her family ended up where they are today.

My favorite quote that pretty much sums up Tallulah's life:

“My parents loved so wildly, they destroyed each other. My father was a tormented man. My brother betrayed my trust. My mother is a self-centered hypocrite. My grandmother has secrets so dark she’d lose me than reveal them. I’m afraid if I love you, you’ll destroy me.”

The characters in the book are one of a kind and each one uniquely interesting. From Tallulah, to her older brother, to her Gran, and to her parent's unusual relationship with each other and with their children, every single character introduced is a vital part to the story. 

The quality of writing in this story is outstanding. I could effortlessly imagine this small, southern town and its inhabitants clearly. I felt like I was there and could feel each character's emotions with every page turn. 

I give this book 5 stars, only because that's the maximum number of stars allowed. This is one of those books I could read over and over again, and fall in love with it once more, every time. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books for allowing my an ecopy to read and give my honest review. This was my first book from author Susan Crandall, but I look forward to reading more form her. 

This book is out now and you can pick up your copy here or wherever you love to shop for books/ebooks! 

Happy Reading!