Carolyn “Caro” Kendal and Stephan Foster were the best of friends while growing up, spending their summers at their families’ beach houses next door to each other. As children they had many an adventure chasing shadows on the beach and were inseparable, always ending their vacations with a promise of “Same Time Next Summer.” As teens, they experienced the bliss of first love together for one summer. As adults they’ve gone their separate ways in relationships but still remain the very best of friends.

Now Caro is divorced and her daughter, Emma, is lying in a hospital bed, in a coma after the car she was in with her father was struck by a drunk driver. Caro is convinced Emma will one day wake up but everyone else believes Emma is a lost cause. When Stephan comes to visit and comfort Caro in her time of need, her strength of will convinces him there is hope for Emma to make it. Now they stand together against the rest of Caro’s family, united in their faith Emma will one day wake up.

When the love Carolyn and Stephan always shared blossoms once more, will their chasing shadows result in catching a lifetime love?

Same Time Next Summer is beautiful story of love being the strength to overcome any of life’s obstacles. Holly Jacobs has once again written a book full of heart humor, home and family. While Carolyn’s family was far from perfect, her professor parents were emotionally distant and not as supportive as they could be, they are her parents and she loves them. Besides, she always had her summers at the lake to look forward to. Stephan’s family was as close as close can be and they always had room in their hearts and home for Carolyn.  

Carolyn and Stephan were connected from their very first meeting. Through the flashbacks and reminiscing of Caro and Stephan we experience their summers on the beach and see the bond between them grow all the stronger. With all the trials and tribulations of youth they were there for each other. As they grew up and changed, dealing with the pressures of life, falling in love, they could always count on each other. Now when Carolyn’s spirit is at its lowest, watching her daughter struggle to live, Stephan is there once more. What these two share is something many dream about but few ever find. Still though, real love is never an easy road and as we see Caro and Stephan overcome one obstacle after another, we know that no matter what happens to these two, they will find strength in each other.

Whether chasing shadows on the beach or weathering the storms of life, family and friends are what get us through the good and bad times. Holly Jacobs is a master at representing real family life in her books and helping us to realize what love and life are all about. She can make us sigh with happiness, cry with sorrow, and laugh out loud at the humor. I know after reading Same Time Next Summer, I am reminded that family is what really matters. I can already see myself on my next beach vacation, chasing shadows alongside of the little ones in my extended family. We may not catch the shadows, but we will certainly catch happy memories. That’s what really matters in the long run.