Flame Tree Press Blog Tour - Until Summer Comes Around

When Anne Cater from Random Things Tours reached out to me about this book, I thought it sounded like a perfect read to get ready for summer.  Man, I had no idea how perfect it was!

TITLE: Until Summer Comes Around

AUTHOR: Glenn Rolfe

PUBLISHER: Flame Tree Press

PUBLISHING DATE: May 21, 2020

FROM GOODREADS: 

When fifteen year old Rocky Zukas meets a mysterious dark-haired girl named November, his world is forever changed. The young couple falls under the spell of summer love, but not everyone approves. November's brother, Gabriel, is the keeper of the family's secret, and big brother is always watching, growing more sinister as his bloodlust gets the best of him. Directing his attention to Rocky's family, Gabriel aims to make sure little sister knows who is in charge. 

MY THOUGHTS: Even when I rate a book 5/5, very rarely do I feel it was a perfect book.  And perhaps I just picked this one up at the right time, or perhaps some elements spoke to me more than they would others, but honestly, I feel Until Summer Comes Around is as close to perfect as it gets.

The story takes place in a coastal tourist town, complete with a boardwalk, arcade and carnival rides.  Each summer the town in inundated with visitors and this year, which just happens to be in the early 80's, is no different.  Rocky wants nothing more than to spend the summer getting his driver's permit and hanging out when friends and family.  But then Rocky meets November and his world stops.  Rocky is clearly headed for his first love but will this love end is tragedy?  November is vacationing with her mother and brother, Gabriel and November holds a secret of her own, one that may tear the whole town apart.

As I mentioned, this book takes place in the 80's which just happens to be near and dear to my heart.  It is complete with pop culture references such as Van Hagar (those of you that were there will understand the name) and Europe.  I also happened to love so many of the characters.  Rocky is bordering on becoming an adult but is still in the awkward teen phase.  I loved the family dynamic in the book.  Rocky's mom and dad were protective, but not smothering.  His older sister was sometimes annoying, but also was one of Rocky's closest pals.  Then you had November who wants nothing more than to have a normal summer without Gabriel ruining it for her.  Which brings me to Gabriel.  Gabriel is everything I want a monster to be.  Ugly and ruthless and not afraid to get his hands, or in this case his teeth, dirty.  There's no glamorous side to Gabriel and I'm grateful for that.

So while I kind of want to shy away from the comparison, I am going to go there.  Until Summer Comes Around has a STRONG Lost Boys vibe.  Which in the end, was fine with me.  No the story is not the same, but a lot of similar elements are there.  And for a child of the 80's who absolutely loved The Lost Boys (and yes, Keifer in all his badness was my favorite character), it's easy to see what this novel spoke to me so much.  If you are looking for a great summer horror read, look no further.  And while there is a romantic element between Rocky and November, don't let that scare you away.  It's the sweet first-love, coming-of-age kind of romance and not the insta-love, all in you face type of romance.  I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future.

Also, I have to say that even though it was already a 5/5 read for me, the author gets extra points for having Rocky listen to the Purple Rain soundtrack when his heart was breaking.  Go Prince!

RATING: 5 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Glenn Rolfe is an author/singer/songwriter from the haunted woods of New England. He has studied Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University,and continues his education in the world of horror by devouring the novels of Stephen King, Ronald Malfi, Jack Ketchum,and many others. He and his wife, Meghan, have three children, Ruby, Ramona, and Axl. He is grateful to be loved despite his weirdness. He is a Splatterpunk Award nominee and the author of The Window, Becoming, Blood and Rain, The Haunted Halls, Chasing Ghosts, Abram's Bridge, Things We Fear, Boom Town,and the collections, Slush and Land of Bones. He is hard at work on many more. Stay tuned!