Summer Reads 2023 Novels & Stories

Summer giggled and squeezed my hand tighter, reveling in the love and laughter that filled our evening stroll. Inside the ice cream parlor, Hollis made all of us sit at a table as he went to order our favorite flavors. Summer’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she eagerly anticipated her scoop of mint chocolate chip. “Thank you; it’s because Daddy brought us here,” she said sweetly, making my heart swell with pride. “You guys never had a family outing like this before,” I asked, shocked, and Summer shook her head, her smile widening. “Nope, this is the best day ever,” she exclaimed, her eyes shining with happiness. I brushed her hair out of her face and couldn’t help but feel grateful for th

Bethany's expression froze, the joy in her eyes vanishing as sheer panic took its place. The terror she felt was laid bare in front of Mitchell, and in that moment, it looked almost comical. Though it was the height of summer, Bethany felt a chill crawl over her skin, a chill that had nothing to do with the weather. She had already experienced the madness that Mitchell could descend into for Heather's sake, twice now, and the fear of reliving it a third time made her stomach turn.

“I’ll send the money—” “Do that.” I didn’t look back. Just kept walking, boots echoing until I reached the underground lot. Threw my bag into the car and peeled off before the blood had dried on my knuckles. It was 8:02 PM. Summer’s leaving for New York tomorrow. I dialled her number immediately. She answered on the third ring. Her voice was soft, hesitant. “Hayden?” I clenched my jaw, closed my eyes for a beat. The sound of her voice stirred something in me.

She managed to send Ava one last, faint voice message, her voice barely a whisper: “Ava… I’m so tired… But I still want to block this last attack for you…” Ava burst onto the hospital rooftop, fighting through the snow, and found Summer unconscious on the ground. A fresh, shallow cut marked her wrist, and the blood bloomed on the white snow like a shocking red flower. Ava collapsed beside her, holding her tightly, weeping uncontrollably. “Summer… I’m so sorry… I’m so sorry…” Her voice was hoarse, tearing her throat, the melting snow and her tears soaking both of them.

With just seven days left until the college entrance exam, the high school's PA system suddenly crackled to life during the morning break. “My name is Lily Smith. I’m a senior. Before I graduate, I’d like to confess my feelings to my crush.” Inside the classroom, every eye instantly locked onto Jack. The room exploded into rowdy cheers and teasing. Jack felt his face burn as his heart hammered against his ribs. After all, he had spent three whole years cracking jokes to help his childhood friend, Lily, overcome the deep dark pit of her depression. On her eighteenth birthday, she had even initiated their first kiss. “You were the light that pulled me out of the darkness. I hope that once

Clara assured her. Summer nodded. When her gaze fell on Clara's protruding belly, a hint of regret appeared in her eyes. If... her child was still alive, then he would be around 7 years old now. Unfortunately... she lost him, unable to protect that little life... She reached out her incomplete right hand, as if wanting to touch Clara's belly, but hesitated. Seeing this, Clara took Summer's hand and placed it on her round belly. "I'm 6 months pregnant. You might be able to see the baby soon. Would you like to be the baby's godmother?"

"Double date? With who and who?" "Julius, me, you and Ricardo" Summer replied as if it was obvious. Lisa scoffed. "You have to be kidding me." "I'm being serious." "It's... It's not going to happen." "Hear me out first." Summer persuaded and dropped the folk in her hand. Lisa shook her head. "It is not..." "Wait," Summer interrupted. "Please, hear me out first." "Okay." "Because it's Friday, Julius and I decide to go clubbing."

The absence of coolness from the air conditioning of the café made me feel awful for a split second. We approached them, Ally’s girlfriend has her left eyebrow raised at Brye while they looked at each other. “What are you doing here Lim? Being summoned by your parents?” she deadpanned at Brye while he frowned at her. “Stop snooping your nose on me, Dela Cruz, move on, it’s been years since I beat you in that competition, grow up” Brye retorted and she rolls her eyes, and about time for us to be noticed. “Mika!” Ally jumps at her and Mika automatically hugged her back before Ally pulls me away from Brye, leaving the guy confused and frowning.

August 15th (Saturday) Finn came by to visit James, Sunny, and, of course, sweet Mrs. Sweeney. James happened to have a bad summer cold. He kept coughing and sneezing as his mother looked at him and said, "Boy! That awful cold better be gone before the trip, and I sure hope I don’t catch it! " Finn then looked at Mrs. Sweeney as he asked, "When are you guys going?" “And for how long? “

Transfixed on Jude, Summer comes out of her head, saying, "Lucus, don't you dare beat yourself up. We're celebrating your engagement today, Ajay, but your dad has been to rehab. We ran into each other during a conference in Missouri when he was sober. That was divine intervention. I live here and have never run into him once. He was with some hussy who was dragging him back down. I wanted to resist him but couldn't. And now here we are, serving the Lord and preparing to become husband and wife." With his eyes fixed on Jude, my dad interjects, "Oh yeah, are you guys having a church wedding?" I look at Jude, who answers, "My family owns an island. It's stunning. I'm sensing Summer's a minister