Review: Cold Summer by Gwen Cole

Title: Cold Summer
Author: Gwen Cole
Publication: May 2nd 2017 by Sky Pony Press
Genre: Young Adult
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 4/5

Today, he’s a high school dropout with no future. Tomorrow, he’s a soldier in World War II.

Kale Jackson has spent years trying to control his time-traveling ability but hasn’t had much luck. One day he lives in 1945, fighting in the war as a sharpshooter and helplessly watching soldiers—friends—die. Then the next day, he’s back in the present, where WWII has bled into his modern life in the form of PTSD, straining his relationship with his father and the few friends he has left. Every day it becomes harder to hide his battle wounds, both physical and mental, from the past.

When the ex-girl-next-door, Harper, moves back to town, thoughts of what could be if only he had a normal life begin to haunt him. Harper reminds him of the person he was before the PTSD, which helps anchor him to the present. With practice, maybe Kale could remain in the present permanently and never step foot on a battlefield again. Maybe he can have the normal life he craves.

But then Harper finds Kale’s name in a historical article—and he’s listed as a casualty of the war. Kale knows now that he must learn to control his time-traveling ability to save himself and his chance at a life with Harper. Otherwise, he’ll be killed in a time where he doesn’t belong by a bullet that was never meant for him.

Cold Summer was one of the most unique books I have ever read. I was pretty sure I was going to love this book because it has time travel in it and it involves WWII. I'm so glad to say I was right because I did end up loving the story. I want more books like this!

I just want to say that I totally adored Harper. I love that she was a gamer, I love her style and I love how she was written. Also, kudos for the mention of Doctor Who (I'm a huge Whovian!).

Kale was a little bit harder to connect to but I warmed up to im in no time. I really felt bad for him with what he went through when he travels to WWII + his struggle with PTSD. But I loved his relationship with Harper and how she helped him with everything.

The book had a magical realism feel to it, which I loved so much. The ending left me wanting more, though. And I felt like I didn't get to know some of the characters well enough since it was a pretty quick read.

The secondary characters made the book extra special. My favorite was Harper's uncle Jasper because I loved him for helping Kale as much as he could. I'm sure a lot of people will agree with me on that one. Uncle Jasper was the best!

Overall, Cold Summer by Gwen Cole was an amazingly touching time travel romance. Simple and yet complex at the same time, it is now one of my favorite stories ever.

Gwen Cole writes Young Adult books and her debut novel, COLD SUMMER, will be released in the spring of 2017 with Sky Pony Press, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing. She grew up in upstate New York, moved to Virginia where she did not graduate college, and worked a various number of jobs including pharmacy technician, meat clerk, ranch hand, and a receiving specialist at Target. She may or may not have written a number of books while working at certain jobs.
At the age of eighteen, Gwen played bass in a hardcore band and later married the lead guitarist. She can also play piano, guitar, and wishes she could play the cello. Her favorite place to vacation is Wyoming, where she gets to wear a cowboy hat and pretend she actually is one.
Gwen now lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband, daughter, and very large dog, where she longs to live in the country again.
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