Summer State Of Mind
- Judith D Collins
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Narrators: Cassandra Campbell, Stephanie Einstein, Matt Pittenger
ISBN: 978-1668074886
Publisher: Gallery Books
Publication Date: 05/05/2026
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars + (ARC)
“Queen of the beach read,” (Cosmopolitan) New York Times bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey returns with a heartfelt escape to coastal Carolina.
After the worst day in her professional life, burnt-out NICU nurse Daisy Stevens runs to Cape Carolina, looking for a new life—and possibly new romance. On her first day at her “simpler” job, high school baseball coach Mason Thaysden discovers an abandoned baby, sending ripples through the entire tight-knit town.
Mason is still struggling to reconcile the scars of the injury that kept him out of the big leagues, stuck in his hometown, and searching for a way out. This newcomer and the child they’ve saved together might be just the motivation he needs to stay put. Sparks fly as Mason introduces Daisy to his friends and family, including his batty Aunt Tilley, who is looking for relief from long-buried family secrets and her own fresh start.
But as Daisy becomes increasingly attached to this abandoned child, and begins facing her own demons in the process, a startling discovery is made that threatens to rip Cape Carolina apart, placing Daisy, Mason, and Tilley in the center of the storm. In a novel that proves that “Kristy Woodson Harvey is (the) go-to for elevated beach reads,” (People) they will each learn that with love, understanding – and a community theater production of Hello, Dolly! – sometimes life conspires to bring us just exactly where we belong.
My Review
In Kristy Woodson Harvey's enchanting novel, SUMMER STATE OF MIND, which shines as a quintessential beach read, we meet a weary NICU nurse grappling with the emotional toll of her demanding profession. Her life takes an unexpected turn when it intertwines with that of a once-celebrated baseball star who is now navigating the complexities of a quieter existence.
Daisy and Mason's stories collide in a small, picturesque Cape Carolina, North Carolina town, where the discovery of an abandoned baby sets in motion a chain of events that challenges their pasts and reshapes their futures. This heartwarming tale weaves together themes of resilience, redemption, and the deep bonds that form in times of crisis, making it a compelling read for the summer.
Small-town family secrets are unraveled within the community. Mason's eccentric Aunt Tilley—a returning character from Harvey's previous novel Under the Southern Sky—is at the center of many of these revelations as she searches for her own fresh start.
The novel cleverly culminates in a local community theater production of Hello, Dolly!, which serves as a backdrop for the characters' personal growth and reconciliation.
Themes:
~Second Chances & Redemption
~Found Family & Belonging
~Small-Town Secrets & Family Dynamics
~Grief and Healing:
~Ethical & Moral Dilemmas
My thoughts...
Oh, how I adore Kristy Woodson Harvey, and her captivating Southern storytelling! Her ability to weave rich narratives filled with warmth and complexity is truly unmatched. In this latest work, fans like myself are in for a delightful treat as Kristy resurrects beloved characters Aunt Tilley and Mason Thaysden from her 2021 gem, "Under the Southern Sky".
Although this new novel can be enjoyed independently, having a grasp of Tilley’s history bestows a profound layer of understanding to her journey of healing, allowing readers to fully appreciate the nuances of her character development and the challenges she faces along the way.
The Vibe
Atmospheric, Harvey captures the salty air and humidity of the beautiful North Carolina coastal town, balancing the joy of a new love and new baby with the heavy grief of loss and trauma.
In the earlier novel, Tilley is introduced as a mentally ill, eccentric woman living in the East Wing of the family home, Dogwood, in Cape Carolina. With a Southern Gothic element—a "ghostly figure" who roamed the halls and often pretended to be someone else to mask childhood trauma.
Tilley shifts from a secondary, "unhinged" figure in the first book to a central protagonist in the sequel. While she spent decades "falling apart" at Dogwood, this novel follows her finally putting her life back together. She now lives with her niece Amelia & Grant, and helps care for her great-nephew and niece, George and Greer.
Mason Thaysden, Amelia’s friend from the first book, returns as the lead male character. His struggle with a career-ending baseball injury (briefly touched on previously) is now a central plot point.
The new protagonist, Daisy, serves as a "foil" for Tilley—readers watch Daisy’s life fall apart while Tilley’s life is finally coming together. Aunt Tilley’s secrets are deeply tied to her inability to move on from the past and a life-altering loss that defines her character.
As Daisy and Mason investigate the abandoned baby's origins, Tilley’s own hidden history becomes a focal point. Tilley acts as a bridge between the town's history and its present crisis. While she is searching for her own fresh start, she struggles with the conflict of keeping these secrets hidden versus finding the relief of the truth.
As in her previous work, the author knows how to pull you into her well-developed characters' world, keeping you turning the pages. SUMMER STATE OF MIND is a beautifully written, layered story of second chances full of romance, family dynamics, and motherhood, full of front porch Southern charm.
Aunt Tilley’s subplot adds a sense of mystery and hidden history to the town, with ultimately a hopeful story about finding home when you feel like an outsider. A significant theme is the "magical, messy, complicated love" found in chosen families.
The big takeaway is that "home" isn't a place you're born into, but a space you dare to build.
SUMMER STATE OF MIND is a quintessential beach read, effortlessly blending humor and heart in a way that makes it perfect for book clubs and thoughtful discussions. I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of my pre-ordered hardcover edition, which features one of my favorite covers.
As a devoted fan of Kristy’s work, having read all her previous books, I’m continually amazed by her storytelling prowess. She never fails to captivate with each new release. What’s even more special is our shared passion for the enchanting locales of Palm Beach and North Carolina, which adds a personal touch to my enjoyment of her writing!
I can't wait for Falling for Peachtree Bluff(Book #5 of The Peachtree Bluff Series), another gorgeous fall cover, releasing Sept 15th. (the day after my birthday)
Special thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for graciously sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: May 5, 2026
May 2026 Must-Read Books
Praise
As Seen on Good Morning America!
Garden & Gun’s Most Anticipated Books of 2026
Southern Living’s Books We Can’t Wait to Read in 2026
BookBub’s Uplifting Books to Look Forward To
Zibby’s Most Anticipated Books of Summer
"Kristy Woodson Harvey is the go-to for elevated beach reads.”
—People
"Whether you're planning your spring break trip or are simply dreaming of days spent by the ocean, Kristy Woodson Harvey's novels are the perfect books to toss in your beach bag."
—Country Living
“This heartwarming novel is a moving story of second chances and unexpected love.”
—Library Journal
“Queen of the beach read!”
—Cosmopolitan
"Kristy Woodson Harvey has written the book that every contemporary romance reader will savor this summer. With wonderfully memorable characters and surprises around every corner, Summer State of Mind is a celebration of family, community, and the kind of magical, messy, complicated love that makes life real and worth living." -
--Marie Bostwick, New York Times bestselling author of The Book Club for Troublesome Women
"Kristy Woodson Harvey has perfected the art of the beach read. Summer State of Mind delivers pure summer escape through deliciously tangled family secrets and rich emotion. A story of found family, belonging, and second chances that will last long after the summer sun sets."
- Meagan Church, New York Times bestselling author of The Mad Wife
Meet Kristy on the
Summer State of Mind Tour
About the Author
Kristy Woodson Harvey is the New York Times, USA TODAY, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of thirteen novels, including Beach House Rules and the Peachtree Bluff series. A Happier Life is in development for film with MGM/Amazon, The Summer of Songbirds is in development for television with Hulu, and many of her other projects are in various stages of option or development for film and television. Her work has received numerous accolades, including Good Morning America’s Buzz Pick, Southern Living’s Most Anticipated Reads, Katie Couric’s Featured Books, and JoAnna Garcia Swisher’s The Happy Place Reads. Kristy is the winner of the Lucy Bramlette Patterson Award for Excellence in Creative Writing and a finalist for the Southern Book Prize. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including Southern Living, Parade, Traditional Home, USA TODAY, and many more.
Kristy is the cocreator and cohost of the hit weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction with fellow New York Times bestselling authors Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, and Patti Callahan Henry. She is also the cofounder of the award-winning interiors site Design Chic, with her mom, Beth Woodson. She lives on the North Carolina coast with her husband, son, and dog, Salt, where she is (always!) working on her next novel. WEBSITE
