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It Wasn't Always Late Summer
This is a powerful story of Mary, a single teenage mother, living on a housing estate plagued with predatory abuse and prostitution, and Annie, an innocent girl whose ghostly presence links the central characters over two generations, bringing the events that led to her death, the loss of innocence and the unfolding story to a dramatic, thrilling conclusion.
173 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 19, 2014
587 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 7, 2021
"And the fretful searching turned to an agonizing wait, a dull pain, a persistent hunger, an intermediate loss."
It Wasn't Always Late Summer is a wonderful story written by Ray Noble, a retired academician who is also a composer and songwriter tells the story of Mary, a single teenage mother who raised her beloved daughter, Michelle, and both of them living in a housing estate that plagued with predatory abuse and prostitution. And the same time, this book narrates the story of another character, Annie. What is the connection between these two characters and what will happen next?
The main theme is dark since the story deals a lot with abuse, death, and loss. It also depicts and gives insights on women's issues like single mothers, their struggles and how they survived, and their relationships. Each character had been introduced one by one with some background story or a brief explanation of them. I am surprised at how the author appropriately addressing the issue very well and tells the story using the character's point of view, in this context, Mary. Who says a male author cannot write an excellent women's fiction like this?
Another thing that I like about this book or more accurately, about how the author narrates the story. I sensed that Ray is using some metaphors and beautiful words to describes the places or any particular events depends on the story plot. My favorites are;
"She remembered that the train, looking like a toy in the distance, had carried her with Mum and Dad to the seaside on a day trip"
and this,
"Just as she dreamed she could when she was little, flying past the library window, watching the readers with their newspapers and books."
For me, the main message that I get from this book is, spend your time with your loved ones. Your parents, your children, your spouse, and your friends. Cherish every moment and appreciate them as long as they were still alive. Because we never know when their final day arrives. When it comes, all the things will be gone like a wind, and what is left is precious memories with them. Besides, parent's attitude towards their children plays an important role in their child's development. Both mentally and physically. Children are like white cloth and their parents are the painter if their parents paint a negative color to their child, they will react and grow up based on their parents' attitude. This can be seen through Bully Spence, an antagonist character in this story.
Lastly, from the beginning to the end of the story, the story progressed very well along with the character's development. Neither too slow nor too rushing for me. Just nice. There are some disturbing parts in this story but overall I enjoyed it. I recommend this book to those who love woman fiction or contemporary fiction. 5-STAR for this book.
It Wasn't Always Late Summer is a wonderful story written by Ray Noble, a retired academician who is also a composer and songwriter tells the story of Mary, a single teenage mother who raised her beloved daughter, Michelle, and both of them living in a housing estate that plagued with predatory abuse and prostitution. And the same time, this book narrates the story of another character, Annie. What is the connection between these two characters and what will happen next?
The main theme is dark since the story deals a lot with abuse, death, and loss. It also depicts and gives insights on women's issues like single mothers, their struggles and how they survived, and their relationships. Each character had been introduced one by one with some background story or a brief explanation of them. I am surprised at how the author appropriately addressing the issue very well and tells the story using the character's point of view, in this context, Mary. Who says a male author cannot write an excellent women's fiction like this?
Another thing that I like about this book or more accurately, about how the author narrates the story. I sensed that Ray is using some metaphors and beautiful words to describes the places or any particular events depends on the story plot. My favorites are;
"She remembered that the train, looking like a toy in the distance, had carried her with Mum and Dad to the seaside on a day trip"
and this,
"Just as she dreamed she could when she was little, flying past the library window, watching the readers with their newspapers and books."
For me, the main message that I get from this book is, spend your time with your loved ones. Your parents, your children, your spouse, and your friends. Cherish every moment and appreciate them as long as they were still alive. Because we never know when their final day arrives. When it comes, all the things will be gone like a wind, and what is left is precious memories with them. Besides, parent's attitude towards their children plays an important role in their child's development. Both mentally and physically. Children are like white cloth and their parents are the painter if their parents paint a negative color to their child, they will react and grow up based on their parents' attitude. This can be seen through Bully Spence, an antagonist character in this story.
Lastly, from the beginning to the end of the story, the story progressed very well along with the character's development. Neither too slow nor too rushing for me. Just nice. There are some disturbing parts in this story but overall I enjoyed it. I recommend this book to those who love woman fiction or contemporary fiction. 5-STAR for this book.
May 16, 2022
I must admit that this is an extremely interesting book. In parallel, we look at the past and the present in one place where all that is beautiful has failed and people are struggling to survive.
In the past, we see a girl named Annie who disappeared while playing hide and seek. The years passed, she was never found, and the only thing left of her was the memories and guilt of her friends who played with her that day. In the present we see Mary a girl just trying to survive. Mary has a small child and very often thinks about that childish carelessness that is so easily taken away from children. She herself is still a child who was raped and forced to grow up quickly and adapt to the adult world. Mary has a Mother Rose, a friend of little Annie who has disappeared and who supports her daughter in everything. Especially after her father died and the two of them were left alone. There’s also Paul, Mary’s boyfriend who wants the best as life drags him to the bottom.
We have the opportunity to meet many characters and their lives that actually depict their destiny as well. You can see how life determine the path you take and makes you the person you are, the person you become. I like that the book is not too big and does not go wide. Everything is concise and beautifully described. The story itself just rolls from page to page and pulls you in further and further and further. You just want to see what happens and even though you anticipate some parts there is always something going on that you didn’t expect. Honestly, the story is dark. It has a lot of dark elements and shows the world in its full swing. This is not the story of a young couple who falls in love and have happily ever after for the rest of their lives. This is a life story. About problems and harsh reality. And that's why I liked it from the first pages. Many, many thanks to Booktasters and the author for giving me a chance to read it and give my opinion.
In the past, we see a girl named Annie who disappeared while playing hide and seek. The years passed, she was never found, and the only thing left of her was the memories and guilt of her friends who played with her that day. In the present we see Mary a girl just trying to survive. Mary has a small child and very often thinks about that childish carelessness that is so easily taken away from children. She herself is still a child who was raped and forced to grow up quickly and adapt to the adult world. Mary has a Mother Rose, a friend of little Annie who has disappeared and who supports her daughter in everything. Especially after her father died and the two of them were left alone. There’s also Paul, Mary’s boyfriend who wants the best as life drags him to the bottom.
We have the opportunity to meet many characters and their lives that actually depict their destiny as well. You can see how life determine the path you take and makes you the person you are, the person you become. I like that the book is not too big and does not go wide. Everything is concise and beautifully described. The story itself just rolls from page to page and pulls you in further and further and further. You just want to see what happens and even though you anticipate some parts there is always something going on that you didn’t expect. Honestly, the story is dark. It has a lot of dark elements and shows the world in its full swing. This is not the story of a young couple who falls in love and have happily ever after for the rest of their lives. This is a life story. About problems and harsh reality. And that's why I liked it from the first pages. Many, many thanks to Booktasters and the author for giving me a chance to read it and give my opinion.
May 12, 2021
A link between the past and present. In depth, the story opens us to how everything changes and how it stays the same. It was fun to exist in the past and present, to experience a ghost and how they perceive the living, changes and time.
The characters all make sense and somehow connect and each play an important role. I'm unorthodox and so my favorite character has to be Paul, only because he is so relatable. He plays a major role in the story and he was not even aware of it. I most probably would have a tiny bit of crush on him because he was a rather mysterious man, you could never be sure about him. He was tough and soft. You love him, hate him and even suspect him.
The story has you guessing, you can't be too sure. There was always a new idea of what could happen next with every new page. You wonder if there's any connection between character and then you realize they all play a major role in the end. The book kept me on my toes and I kept flipping the pages. The language use is also very much fun if you are a Peaky blinders fan😊.
The book is all in one, it addresses poverty, prostitution, abuse (rape, predatory and bullying), love and teenage pregnancies. It was a perfect portrayal of how our different lives are connected. How most of our live events are not always random...fate? Destiny? Ghost and generational links.
Personally this is one of an almost perfect mystery stories and it lives up to it. The ending is nearly satisfying though I felt it leaves the burning question with different possible answers, which isn't all bad.
I would recommend this book to readers who love a good mystery and a little dark story.
The characters all make sense and somehow connect and each play an important role. I'm unorthodox and so my favorite character has to be Paul, only because he is so relatable. He plays a major role in the story and he was not even aware of it. I most probably would have a tiny bit of crush on him because he was a rather mysterious man, you could never be sure about him. He was tough and soft. You love him, hate him and even suspect him.
The story has you guessing, you can't be too sure. There was always a new idea of what could happen next with every new page. You wonder if there's any connection between character and then you realize they all play a major role in the end. The book kept me on my toes and I kept flipping the pages. The language use is also very much fun if you are a Peaky blinders fan😊.
The book is all in one, it addresses poverty, prostitution, abuse (rape, predatory and bullying), love and teenage pregnancies. It was a perfect portrayal of how our different lives are connected. How most of our live events are not always random...fate? Destiny? Ghost and generational links.
Personally this is one of an almost perfect mystery stories and it lives up to it. The ending is nearly satisfying though I felt it leaves the burning question with different possible answers, which isn't all bad.
I would recommend this book to readers who love a good mystery and a little dark story.
November 24, 2021
It Wasn't Always Late Summer is an interesting, tragic thriller about loss, things that should have been, and things that have never been.
Annie, the innocent, lost ghost who is “gone, not missing," connects two generations of people she once knew. Remaining lost even after death, her role becomes more clear as the story unfolds of how she moves subtly but purposefully to save a life, and simultaneously finds her own peace with what actually happened to her.
The book describes the harsh reality of a class that is almost invisible to the rest of the world. The people struggle with abuse, poverty, depression, and death. We see how the characters struggle to deal with each of these obstacles, even if it was in a way frowned upon by society, just to survive. Ray Noble did an amazing job describing intense emotions from different points of view of different characters.
The book is a page-turner. I liked the way the book starts by exploring each character’s story and then manifesting the connection between all the characters, showing how their lives are interlaced and connected by fate. The intense emotions- love, fear, happiness, rejection, and sadness- only add to the story’s excellent development. Overall, an amazing book.
Thank you Booktasters for providing me a copy from the author to read and review.
Annie, the innocent, lost ghost who is “gone, not missing," connects two generations of people she once knew. Remaining lost even after death, her role becomes more clear as the story unfolds of how she moves subtly but purposefully to save a life, and simultaneously finds her own peace with what actually happened to her.
The book describes the harsh reality of a class that is almost invisible to the rest of the world. The people struggle with abuse, poverty, depression, and death. We see how the characters struggle to deal with each of these obstacles, even if it was in a way frowned upon by society, just to survive. Ray Noble did an amazing job describing intense emotions from different points of view of different characters.
The book is a page-turner. I liked the way the book starts by exploring each character’s story and then manifesting the connection between all the characters, showing how their lives are interlaced and connected by fate. The intense emotions- love, fear, happiness, rejection, and sadness- only add to the story’s excellent development. Overall, an amazing book.
Thank you Booktasters for providing me a copy from the author to read and review.
June 3, 2021
I did think this might be a sad book, because of the topic, which was teenage pregnancy, and the wider effects on a young woman's life. The book explored the situation in a context which brought various characters in the young woman's life, more into focus, and quickly evolved into a tale of nature and nurture. Human traits and personalities interacted, to create an interplay of circumstances, and gender roles and environment were also skillfully explored, with the role these factors all played in the events lending a feeling of inevitability to the circumstances. The atmosphere of grim poverty, with its accompanying privations, was concisely described. Contrasts between the depressing struggle for survival, and how inhospitable environments, or deprivation of love or decent role models within a family structure, were mercifully alleviated by an abundance of love present also, in descriptions of nature, and human interactions, and the story was as much about the fortitude and strengths we have as humans, to overcome difficulties, as it was obout the difficulties themselves. There was, indeed, a touch of magic about this little novel, as it encouraged us to dream of good things, while showing us hidden beauty. Not an easy read, for the emotions, but a touching one.
May 18, 2021
Many thanks to Ray Noble and Booktasters for providing a copy of this book for an honest review. It Wasn't Always Late Summer is a powerful story that addresses loss, poverty, and abuse.
Annie went missing playing hide and seek. No one ever saw her again.
Throughout the story, Annie's ghostly presence is felt. She haunts the memory of Rose, one of her childhood friends. A widow, having lost her husband to illness, Rose tries to raise her daughter Mary to the best of her ability. Missing her father, Mary doesn't understand why the Lord took him away. She longs to see him again and to get the innocence of her childhood days back.
During a night out with her friends, Mary is raped and becomes pregnant. She meets Paul, who accepts her and her daughter Michelle. She dislikes Bully Spence, a troubled young man with abandonment issues. With a growing unhealthy attraction for Mary, Bully takes his anger and pain out on the women who works for Mr. Pierce.
It Wasn't Always Late Summer is a story that stays with you long after reading the Epilogue. A particular line from the story, "She was gone, not missing," especially struck me. I stopped to reflect on that sentence, it was so powerful. Five stars, I recommend adding this thought-provoking story to your collection.
Annie went missing playing hide and seek. No one ever saw her again.
Throughout the story, Annie's ghostly presence is felt. She haunts the memory of Rose, one of her childhood friends. A widow, having lost her husband to illness, Rose tries to raise her daughter Mary to the best of her ability. Missing her father, Mary doesn't understand why the Lord took him away. She longs to see him again and to get the innocence of her childhood days back.
During a night out with her friends, Mary is raped and becomes pregnant. She meets Paul, who accepts her and her daughter Michelle. She dislikes Bully Spence, a troubled young man with abandonment issues. With a growing unhealthy attraction for Mary, Bully takes his anger and pain out on the women who works for Mr. Pierce.
It Wasn't Always Late Summer is a story that stays with you long after reading the Epilogue. A particular line from the story, "She was gone, not missing," especially struck me. I stopped to reflect on that sentence, it was so powerful. Five stars, I recommend adding this thought-provoking story to your collection.
May 17, 2021
Thanks to the author and Book Tasters for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This books is an intriguing thriller, mystery and ghost story rolled into one novel. The book is just the right pace and is written in such a way that you are easily drawn into the characters and their stories. The characters themselves are so well written that they are easily relatable and realistic. The themes of the book are dark and delves into various issues such as abuse, loss and relationships as the story progresses. There are many disturbing parts in the book but also some parts that will genuinely make you laugh. Overall a very emotional, intriguing and thought provoking read that kept me enthralled until the last page. Perfect for fans of mystery/thriller stories.
This books is an intriguing thriller, mystery and ghost story rolled into one novel. The book is just the right pace and is written in such a way that you are easily drawn into the characters and their stories. The characters themselves are so well written that they are easily relatable and realistic. The themes of the book are dark and delves into various issues such as abuse, loss and relationships as the story progresses. There are many disturbing parts in the book but also some parts that will genuinely make you laugh. Overall a very emotional, intriguing and thought provoking read that kept me enthralled until the last page. Perfect for fans of mystery/thriller stories.
June 1, 2021
When I first read the synopsis about It Wasn’t Always Last Summer, I was intrigued. Ray Noble’s book was very good from beginning to end. I chose this book from Booktasters and was pleased with my choice.
Rose is haunted by her childhood friend Annie’s memory who went missing while they played hide and seek. Rose feels her presence as she lives her life, gets married and has a daughter, Mary, and as she tries to figure out exactly what happened to her beloved friend whom she misses dearly.
Thank you Ray Noble for such an incredible and well written story!!
Rose is haunted by her childhood friend Annie’s memory who went missing while they played hide and seek. Rose feels her presence as she lives her life, gets married and has a daughter, Mary, and as she tries to figure out exactly what happened to her beloved friend whom she misses dearly.
Thank you Ray Noble for such an incredible and well written story!!
June 2, 2021
Ray Noble did a fantastic job portraying the different kinds of scars all different kinds of abuse can leave. The characters were all really unique and often highly unlikeable but interesting nonetheless.
It was a tragic story of the interwoven fate of a young girl forgotten by time but not by the love of childhood friends and a young woman, who wasn't spared by the cruelty of life in the slightest.
It shows that love of the purest type, the bond only children can have, defies everything, even death itself.
It was a tragic story of the interwoven fate of a young girl forgotten by time but not by the love of childhood friends and a young woman, who wasn't spared by the cruelty of life in the slightest.
It shows that love of the purest type, the bond only children can have, defies everything, even death itself.
June 30, 2021
This book had a way of pulling at my heart, unlike any others in the past....
A story of tragedy, a "haunting", that contains thriller elements, and more tragedy. Truly unlike anything I've read before. This book covers many topics such as teenage pregnancy, rape, murder, loss, and moving on.
It merges the past and present, shows how the past sticks with you long after things take place. I couldn't put this down until the very last page! This was a story that will stick with me for a while as the emotions felt here were so deep and well expressed.
A story of tragedy, a "haunting", that contains thriller elements, and more tragedy. Truly unlike anything I've read before. This book covers many topics such as teenage pregnancy, rape, murder, loss, and moving on.
It merges the past and present, shows how the past sticks with you long after things take place. I couldn't put this down until the very last page! This was a story that will stick with me for a while as the emotions felt here were so deep and well expressed.
August 15, 2021
A beautifully written story juxtaposing gentleness against cruelty...
Starting on a whimsical note with missing Annie and her balloon, we are soon introduced to the harsh reality of living in a poor estate. The characters are beautifully described, with gentle Rose and Mary in stark contrast with the cruelty of Buddy Spencer. The underlying threat of violence is like a snake waiting to strike. I highly recommend this book to readers who love a beautifully written story with a touch of fantasy woven into it.
Starting on a whimsical note with missing Annie and her balloon, we are soon introduced to the harsh reality of living in a poor estate. The characters are beautifully described, with gentle Rose and Mary in stark contrast with the cruelty of Buddy Spencer. The underlying threat of violence is like a snake waiting to strike. I highly recommend this book to readers who love a beautifully written story with a touch of fantasy woven into it.
May 5, 2021
A modern ghost story and compelling psychological thriller.
I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone, so I won’t go into detail about the plot. I will tell you that It Wasn’t Always Late Summer is one of those rare books that you don’t just read; its world is so vivid, you live in it. And I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent there. I already miss Mary, Rose, Michelle, and - of course - Annie.
What a spellbinding and touching read! Bravo, Ray Noble. I can’t wait to read more of your work.
I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone, so I won’t go into detail about the plot. I will tell you that It Wasn’t Always Late Summer is one of those rare books that you don’t just read; its world is so vivid, you live in it. And I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent there. I already miss Mary, Rose, Michelle, and - of course - Annie.
What a spellbinding and touching read! Bravo, Ray Noble. I can’t wait to read more of your work.
May 6, 2021
An incredible read! The style of writing is truly unique! The way the author describes everything is amazing! Really enjoyed reading it! There aren't many twists in the plot line, but it's a page turner that you simply can't put down.
The pain of losing a young friend and growing old without them..... Time doesn't stop, life goes on without them, but they remain with you as they were, stuck at that age. Annie and Rose will tug at your heartstrings!
Amazing work Ray Noble!!
The pain of losing a young friend and growing old without them..... Time doesn't stop, life goes on without them, but they remain with you as they were, stuck at that age. Annie and Rose will tug at your heartstrings!
Amazing work Ray Noble!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2023
Received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway. I DNF at 25%. The book did not hold my attention.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews