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And Then It Was September
Come for the 80s vibes. Stay for the story.A missing necklace, a backpack full of photos, and two women trying to outrun their families' expectations.
Summer 1987
When rebellious 16-year-old Audrey is forced to ride shotgun with her dad on a six-week cross-country sales trip, she’s sure her summer is ruined. But with the help of her best friend, she is determined to make the best of it. In her thread-worn backpack is a stack of black and white photos she plans to hang in diners wherever she goes- adding herself to the walls of fame. After all, she knows she’s going to be famous someday. But becoming famous isn’t the same as leaving a legacy.
Summer 2017
Thirty-four-year-old Jasmine needs one thing to complete her almost perfect life- a baby. Facing family pressure and a ticking biological clock, getting pregnant is her primary focus. Then she stumbles upon a black and white glossy photo tacked up on a diner wall amid a field of famous faces. The girl in the photo is wearing a unique necklace Jasmine recognizes as a family heirloom, lost by her Granny years before. As Jasmine sets out to find the girl and the necklace, she discovers that the best-laid plans are often written in sand.
Delightfully heartwarming, And Then It Was September explores the impact our lives have and the legacy we leave when we’re gone.
Summer 1987
When rebellious 16-year-old Audrey is forced to ride shotgun with her dad on a six-week cross-country sales trip, she’s sure her summer is ruined. But with the help of her best friend, she is determined to make the best of it. In her thread-worn backpack is a stack of black and white photos she plans to hang in diners wherever she goes- adding herself to the walls of fame. After all, she knows she’s going to be famous someday. But becoming famous isn’t the same as leaving a legacy.
Summer 2017
Thirty-four-year-old Jasmine needs one thing to complete her almost perfect life- a baby. Facing family pressure and a ticking biological clock, getting pregnant is her primary focus. Then she stumbles upon a black and white glossy photo tacked up on a diner wall amid a field of famous faces. The girl in the photo is wearing a unique necklace Jasmine recognizes as a family heirloom, lost by her Granny years before. As Jasmine sets out to find the girl and the necklace, she discovers that the best-laid plans are often written in sand.
Delightfully heartwarming, And Then It Was September explores the impact our lives have and the legacy we leave when we’re gone.
348 pages, Paperback
Published September 7, 2024
52 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Day
10 books62 followersWendy Day loves to write stories with snarky banter and strong female characters. She is the author of the popular Sally and Pearl Adventure series, named after her own grandmother and great-grandmother. She lives in Michigan with her husband, four kids, two dogs, and one very entitled cat. She is a mediocre painter and terrible cook. When not writing, she’s likely to be found daydreaming in a rowboat or curled up in a cozy chair with a glass of wine and a good book.
Find out more about Wendy’s unique outlook on life at the website: www.readwendyday.com
Find out more about Wendy’s unique outlook on life at the website: www.readwendyday.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
September 19, 2024
REVIEW TO COME!!!!!!
September 16, 2024
3.5 stars
The cover of this book is beautiful and is what drew me in to begin with. I LOVED the concept of this book and the dual timelines but there were times when the execution just fell flat for me. I fully appreciated Jasmine's need to go down the necklace rabbit hole and Audrey's emotions about her sister felt so real and valid but there were other parts of the book where the characters just didn't feel like real people. Jasmine's mom, especially, but honestly, even Tyson was just perfect with zero flaws? Again, I was a huge fan of the story itself, I just wish it had been fleshed out a bit more. There were a few times when I'd finish a chapter from Aubrey's pov and have so many questions and be in suspense, and then they'd immediately be answered in Jasmie's pov or visa versa. It almost felt like the author was scared the reader would forget certain details and rushed to get them out. Overall, a quick read that kept me interested!
Thank you to NetGalley, Wendy Day, and Open Sky Publishing for allowing me to read the arc in exchange for my honest review.
The cover of this book is beautiful and is what drew me in to begin with. I LOVED the concept of this book and the dual timelines but there were times when the execution just fell flat for me. I fully appreciated Jasmine's need to go down the necklace rabbit hole and Audrey's emotions about her sister felt so real and valid but there were other parts of the book where the characters just didn't feel like real people. Jasmine's mom, especially, but honestly, even Tyson was just perfect with zero flaws? Again, I was a huge fan of the story itself, I just wish it had been fleshed out a bit more. There were a few times when I'd finish a chapter from Aubrey's pov and have so many questions and be in suspense, and then they'd immediately be answered in Jasmie's pov or visa versa. It almost felt like the author was scared the reader would forget certain details and rushed to get them out. Overall, a quick read that kept me interested!
Thank you to NetGalley, Wendy Day, and Open Sky Publishing for allowing me to read the arc in exchange for my honest review.
January 1, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing an ARC of And Then It Was September.
This book starts on a high note with its creative structure: each chapter is tied to a playlist, offering a unique glimpse into the characters and setting the tone before the story even begins. I loved this idea—it instantly gave depth and flavor to the narrative.
Wendy Day’s writing style is engaging, balancing character exploration without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary exposition. The story alternates between two timelines, and while both are intriguing, I found Jasmine’s storyline more compelling. Her perspective as a 35-year-old felt relatable, grounded, and emotionally resonant, (even though I'm closer in age to Audrey).
On the other hand, Audrey’s chapters—though they captured the essence of teenage struggles—felt a bit forced at times. The overuse of 80s slang in her voice detracted from the authenticity of her character, making her a bit harder to connect with. Despite this, the contrasts between the two protagonists add richness to the narrative, and the interplay between their stories keeps the book interesting.
The relationship between Jasmine and Tyson stood out as a highlight—well-written and believable, full of subtle emotional beats that make their connection feel real.
Overall, And Then It Was September is an enjoyable and unique read with a strong structure, a vivid writing style, and characters that draw you in, even if some aspects don’t hit quite as well. Fans of dual-timeline narratives with a hint of nostalgia will appreciate this one.
4/5 stars.
This book starts on a high note with its creative structure: each chapter is tied to a playlist, offering a unique glimpse into the characters and setting the tone before the story even begins. I loved this idea—it instantly gave depth and flavor to the narrative.
Wendy Day’s writing style is engaging, balancing character exploration without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary exposition. The story alternates between two timelines, and while both are intriguing, I found Jasmine’s storyline more compelling. Her perspective as a 35-year-old felt relatable, grounded, and emotionally resonant, (even though I'm closer in age to Audrey).
On the other hand, Audrey’s chapters—though they captured the essence of teenage struggles—felt a bit forced at times. The overuse of 80s slang in her voice detracted from the authenticity of her character, making her a bit harder to connect with. Despite this, the contrasts between the two protagonists add richness to the narrative, and the interplay between their stories keeps the book interesting.
The relationship between Jasmine and Tyson stood out as a highlight—well-written and believable, full of subtle emotional beats that make their connection feel real.
Overall, And Then It Was September is an enjoyable and unique read with a strong structure, a vivid writing style, and characters that draw you in, even if some aspects don’t hit quite as well. Fans of dual-timeline narratives with a hint of nostalgia will appreciate this one.
4/5 stars.
April 23, 2025
Why aren't more people talking about this book??
A story about two women (teen Audrey and Jasmine in her 30s) from two very different times (1987 and 2017). With vivid descriptions of places and characters, one woman's quest to find a necklace and return it to her granny has her chasing down the past, and maybe discovering herself in the process.
The pacing was a little off (a slow start - but I loved the playlists being included - and a somewhat rushed ending) but the writing style, characters, and plot make up for it.
The dual POV and dual timeline worked well in this book. I loved the southern setting, the mystery, and great character exploration. I will definitely read more from Wendy Day.
Thank you to Wendy Day, NetGalley and Open Sky Publishing for my advanced copy.
A story about two women (teen Audrey and Jasmine in her 30s) from two very different times (1987 and 2017). With vivid descriptions of places and characters, one woman's quest to find a necklace and return it to her granny has her chasing down the past, and maybe discovering herself in the process.
The pacing was a little off (a slow start - but I loved the playlists being included - and a somewhat rushed ending) but the writing style, characters, and plot make up for it.
The dual POV and dual timeline worked well in this book. I loved the southern setting, the mystery, and great character exploration. I will definitely read more from Wendy Day.
Thank you to Wendy Day, NetGalley and Open Sky Publishing for my advanced copy.
September 14, 2024
This book is …. Unmemorable the stereotypes of the women can feel archaic like the fact her whole purpose is to stay at home to have a baby. The fact the MC is staying at home to start a family despite her passion being in writing (which she does fulfil but for selfish reasons) something about it just didn’t hit for me personally
September 22, 2024
I thought this book was so sweet and entertaining! I loved the playlists and the nostalgia. As someone who has dealt with infertility and miscarriage, I totally empathized with Jasmine. I loved the intertwining stories of Audrey and Jasmine, and I hated when the story ended!
March 10, 2025
This was a really good book. A story about two women, 30 years apart, both searching for purpose in life…both connected. I found this book on NetGalley, even though it had already been published, I was able to get it and I’m glad I did.
September 13, 2024
I was a teen in the 80s and could relate to this book in some ways. That being said I had difficulty reading the teenager’s narrative at my current age. Disliked too many characters and the antiquated belief system bothered me. Women don’t need to cater to men.
I believe I may not be the correct target audience for this book.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I believe I may not be the correct target audience for this book.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 10, 2024
This was horrible. I feel like two stars is really a stretch. Audrey's character made this book somewhat redeemable, but nothing could truly overcome the Jasmine's character and her insufferable attitude. She's spoiled, narcissistic, and petulant; everyone's life had to revolve around her struggles and her view on everything. The author really pushed racial issues (or the perception of issues) throughout the book, and not in a good way. Her entitlement attitude was a complete turn off, and blew this book up for me. I'm normally pretty non-judgmental about other reviews, but the fact that this book has so many 5-star reviews makes me question the status of this reading community.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 15, 2025
Book review: 3/5 ⭐️
Genre: fiction
Themes: tragedy, identity, family legacy, fame
This is a rather sweet and nostalgic story of two women linked through a lost necklace and all the history it holds. It was chaptered through song and features the quaintness of small town American and the hopes of dreams. Part mystery, part coming of age and full of heart as a girl finds a personable way to fame.
Jasmine is in her mid thirties and all she wants is a baby, which is something that she just can’t seem to do. With family pressure and a general rhetoric that she is essentially failing at life, she sees something unexpected at a diner that drives her to search for a missing family heirloom and perhaps take her mind off of her fertility issues. Along the way she may just find another use for her voice and purpose in her life.
In the eighties, we have the young teen Audrey whose family is derailed after tragedy strikes with the death of her sister. Having rebelled against the confines of her new reality she ends up on a road trip with her father as punishment. She takes the chance to poster her photo on celebrity walls across the country’s diners because what Audrey wants most is to become a famous singer.
In many ways it documented how women of varying ages deal with the traumas in their lives. All the ways they internalizes hurts and fears, even if surrounded by a loving family. And within that lay a hope of who they were aspiring to be, a way to change their stars and be more.
Docked half a star because the author referred to Japanese Kintsugi as Chinese. It’s the small details that take me out of a story and in one that has an element of race and stereotyping it was a pretty blatant mistake that make me question how Jasmine was portrayed. I already had some issues with how her black matriarchs were represented. I didn’t think the motivation needed to be explicitly linked to slavery and repopulating. It would have been enough for them to want Jasmine to reach her potential, but to criticize both her infertility and her lack of profession on top of adding the guilt factor of family not being able to do so in the past seemed excessive. They also seemed a little dogmatically old fashioned, while also claiming to foster a legacy of independent working women. A bit of a juxtaposition.
I did sympathize with Jasmine’s character and her trials, and I could easily see her being the black sheep in this big successful family. But I found her avoidance of conflict, especially in her marriage one that made nothing seem real in her life. I don’t think I quite bought her background. It was a little too one note with her baby obsession and the mystery seemed very easily solved. Even her journey to publishing was managed before she wrote anything, which seemed too convenient. It was not the event that would have precipitated a feeling of confidence given that most of the mystery was solved by her a researcher at her husband’s firm and her journal was published by a friend who could see that she needed a win. I just wanted her to stand up for herself for once and really find out who she is outside the identity of wife.
Audrey was equally single minded with that self centred aura of a teen. I thought her turnaround from sullen teen to appreciative and caring daughter to be a bit too fast. Though I did love all the little ways she showed kindness that ought to be remembered. All in all it attempted to narrate two very emotional issues - repeat miscarriages and potential infertility and death of a young family member. It was a bit sugarcoated and somewhat unmemorable to me, but these are still important stories that I believe many reader with connect with.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wendy Day for a chance to read and review this book.
Genre: fiction
Themes: tragedy, identity, family legacy, fame
This is a rather sweet and nostalgic story of two women linked through a lost necklace and all the history it holds. It was chaptered through song and features the quaintness of small town American and the hopes of dreams. Part mystery, part coming of age and full of heart as a girl finds a personable way to fame.
Jasmine is in her mid thirties and all she wants is a baby, which is something that she just can’t seem to do. With family pressure and a general rhetoric that she is essentially failing at life, she sees something unexpected at a diner that drives her to search for a missing family heirloom and perhaps take her mind off of her fertility issues. Along the way she may just find another use for her voice and purpose in her life.
In the eighties, we have the young teen Audrey whose family is derailed after tragedy strikes with the death of her sister. Having rebelled against the confines of her new reality she ends up on a road trip with her father as punishment. She takes the chance to poster her photo on celebrity walls across the country’s diners because what Audrey wants most is to become a famous singer.
In many ways it documented how women of varying ages deal with the traumas in their lives. All the ways they internalizes hurts and fears, even if surrounded by a loving family. And within that lay a hope of who they were aspiring to be, a way to change their stars and be more.
Docked half a star because the author referred to Japanese Kintsugi as Chinese. It’s the small details that take me out of a story and in one that has an element of race and stereotyping it was a pretty blatant mistake that make me question how Jasmine was portrayed. I already had some issues with how her black matriarchs were represented. I didn’t think the motivation needed to be explicitly linked to slavery and repopulating. It would have been enough for them to want Jasmine to reach her potential, but to criticize both her infertility and her lack of profession on top of adding the guilt factor of family not being able to do so in the past seemed excessive. They also seemed a little dogmatically old fashioned, while also claiming to foster a legacy of independent working women. A bit of a juxtaposition.
I did sympathize with Jasmine’s character and her trials, and I could easily see her being the black sheep in this big successful family. But I found her avoidance of conflict, especially in her marriage one that made nothing seem real in her life. I don’t think I quite bought her background. It was a little too one note with her baby obsession and the mystery seemed very easily solved. Even her journey to publishing was managed before she wrote anything, which seemed too convenient. It was not the event that would have precipitated a feeling of confidence given that most of the mystery was solved by her a researcher at her husband’s firm and her journal was published by a friend who could see that she needed a win. I just wanted her to stand up for herself for once and really find out who she is outside the identity of wife.
Audrey was equally single minded with that self centred aura of a teen. I thought her turnaround from sullen teen to appreciative and caring daughter to be a bit too fast. Though I did love all the little ways she showed kindness that ought to be remembered. All in all it attempted to narrate two very emotional issues - repeat miscarriages and potential infertility and death of a young family member. It was a bit sugarcoated and somewhat unmemorable to me, but these are still important stories that I believe many reader with connect with.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wendy Day for a chance to read and review this book.
October 7, 2024
"And Then It Was September" by Wendy Day is a captivating dual narrative novel that weaves together the stories of 16-year-old Audrey, set in 1987, and Jasmine, who is in her 30s, set in 2017.
Jasmine notices a young, beautiful girl's photo up on the Wall of Fame in a diner wearing a one-of-a-kind necklace that had belonged to her great-grandmother and passed on to her Granny, who lost it at a civil rights rally many years ago. Determined to find the necklace and return it to her Granny, her only clue is the girl's name - Audrey. Jasmine soon learns that Audrey had been on a quest to become famous in the 80s and taped her headshot in as many diners and bars as she could. This leads Jasmine on an incredible adventure that shares a beautiful story about Audrey's life and background.
Both characters were well-developed, and I really enjoyed Audrey's uniqueness. I struggled a bit with Jasmine's antiquated character, though. However, I do understand where the character was coming from with setting up the new house and then trying to start a family, and this was why she was putting her career on hold, but it came across as a lot of whining when it was reinforced with her husband, her family, her circle of friends, and within her own thoughts. It was a lot, but I did enjoy her persistence.
Wendy Day's writing style kept me engaged, as did the vivid descriptions and settings and highly emotional relationships, especially between Audrey and her dad - that was some road trip he took her on. I could really feel their pain and the love they had for one another.
The plot was well-paced, with unexpected twists and turns that kept me eagerly turning the pages until I neared the final chapters, and everything just wrapped up very suddenly. While I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others, I felt that the ending could have been more satisfying and needed the same pace as the rest of the book.
Overall, "And Then It Was September" is a beautiful novel that I'm glad to have read.
And that cover is absolutely GORGEOUS!
Thank you, #NetGalley, #WendyDay, and #OpenSkyPublishing, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Car accident, child death, depression, miscarriage, mental health, teen pregnancy.
Jasmine notices a young, beautiful girl's photo up on the Wall of Fame in a diner wearing a one-of-a-kind necklace that had belonged to her great-grandmother and passed on to her Granny, who lost it at a civil rights rally many years ago. Determined to find the necklace and return it to her Granny, her only clue is the girl's name - Audrey. Jasmine soon learns that Audrey had been on a quest to become famous in the 80s and taped her headshot in as many diners and bars as she could. This leads Jasmine on an incredible adventure that shares a beautiful story about Audrey's life and background.
Both characters were well-developed, and I really enjoyed Audrey's uniqueness. I struggled a bit with Jasmine's antiquated character, though. However, I do understand where the character was coming from with setting up the new house and then trying to start a family, and this was why she was putting her career on hold, but it came across as a lot of whining when it was reinforced with her husband, her family, her circle of friends, and within her own thoughts. It was a lot, but I did enjoy her persistence.
Wendy Day's writing style kept me engaged, as did the vivid descriptions and settings and highly emotional relationships, especially between Audrey and her dad - that was some road trip he took her on. I could really feel their pain and the love they had for one another.
The plot was well-paced, with unexpected twists and turns that kept me eagerly turning the pages until I neared the final chapters, and everything just wrapped up very suddenly. While I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others, I felt that the ending could have been more satisfying and needed the same pace as the rest of the book.
Overall, "And Then It Was September" is a beautiful novel that I'm glad to have read.
And that cover is absolutely GORGEOUS!
Thank you, #NetGalley, #WendyDay, and #OpenSkyPublishing, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Car accident, child death, depression, miscarriage, mental health, teen pregnancy.
January 2, 2025
AND THEN IT WAS SEPTEMBER - WENDY DAY
If you're looking for an emotional yet heartwarming story that has fun 80s vibes and a solid set of mysteries at its core, I think you'll love And then it was September. Here's a synopsis:
Come for the 80s vibes. Stay for the story. A missing necklace, a backpack full of photos, and two women trying to outrun their families' expectations.
Actually, a blurb is what you'll get because the less you know about the storyline, the more enjoyable it is. In a nutshell, the book follows two perspectives: Audrey in 1987 and Jasmine in 2017. The first timeline is an ode to the 80s in some ways, and music is a big focus.
Chapter over chapter, the characters are carefully constructed, giving us a real sense of who they are and their current situations. Both are very much on a journey, and there is overlap between them and what they experience. Even though I would describe this as a lighter read, some heavier themes are explored so check the TWs at the end.
There are numerous mysteries to solve too, which helps to set a good pace right up until the end.
I had a few issues with this read; there was quite a bit of repetition, some issues felt oversimplified and one character continuously acted beyond her age. The big moments also felt a bit rushed. Lastly, this book is unequivocally filled with good characters. I personally like a little more shades of grey when it comes to characterisation.
But for anyone looking for something that's light, engaging and heartwarming, this one's for you. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for my copy of this book.
Review score: 3/5
TWs: infertility, miscarriage, d*ath, illness, natural disasters
If you're looking for an emotional yet heartwarming story that has fun 80s vibes and a solid set of mysteries at its core, I think you'll love And then it was September. Here's a synopsis:
Come for the 80s vibes. Stay for the story. A missing necklace, a backpack full of photos, and two women trying to outrun their families' expectations.
Actually, a blurb is what you'll get because the less you know about the storyline, the more enjoyable it is. In a nutshell, the book follows two perspectives: Audrey in 1987 and Jasmine in 2017. The first timeline is an ode to the 80s in some ways, and music is a big focus.
Chapter over chapter, the characters are carefully constructed, giving us a real sense of who they are and their current situations. Both are very much on a journey, and there is overlap between them and what they experience. Even though I would describe this as a lighter read, some heavier themes are explored so check the TWs at the end.
There are numerous mysteries to solve too, which helps to set a good pace right up until the end.
I had a few issues with this read; there was quite a bit of repetition, some issues felt oversimplified and one character continuously acted beyond her age. The big moments also felt a bit rushed. Lastly, this book is unequivocally filled with good characters. I personally like a little more shades of grey when it comes to characterisation.
But for anyone looking for something that's light, engaging and heartwarming, this one's for you. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for my copy of this book.
Review score: 3/5
TWs: infertility, miscarriage, d*ath, illness, natural disasters
October 16, 2024
When Jasmine sees a photo of a girl in a diner wearing her grandmothers lost necklace, a family heirloom, she embarks on a journey to find the women and return the necklace to her grandmother. Told from alternating timelines, Jasmine is a 30 year old living in 2017 who is dealing with infertility. Audrey is a 16 year old living in the late 80s on a business trip with her father struggling with her grief over losing her sister in an accident. When Jasmine comes across the first photo in a diner, no one’s seems to know much about the girl other than her name, Audrey. Then Jasmine sees her photo in another diner and so the journey begins.
Although the plot was a beautiful story, the beginning pace felt a little slow and the ending abrupt/rushed. Audrey leaving her photo in the places she visited in hopes of becoming famous kept me engaged through learning her back story. But some of the stereotypes expressed fell a little flat and at times felt unnecessary. While Jasmine’s needs to return the necklace fueled her character motives, I couldn’t relate or agree with her struggles of wanting to put her family goals ahead of her dreams. Kind of it felt like she was influenced by her external connections (her husband and her mother) and for that I may not be the target audience for this. Overall, it was still a good read. A journey of discovery, grief and healing between two women in different times that will eventually be connected by a necklace.
Although the plot was a beautiful story, the beginning pace felt a little slow and the ending abrupt/rushed. Audrey leaving her photo in the places she visited in hopes of becoming famous kept me engaged through learning her back story. But some of the stereotypes expressed fell a little flat and at times felt unnecessary. While Jasmine’s needs to return the necklace fueled her character motives, I couldn’t relate or agree with her struggles of wanting to put her family goals ahead of her dreams. Kind of it felt like she was influenced by her external connections (her husband and her mother) and for that I may not be the target audience for this. Overall, it was still a good read. A journey of discovery, grief and healing between two women in different times that will eventually be connected by a necklace.
September 21, 2024
I received a free electronic version of this book through netgalley. I'm going to be honest I went in completely blind with this book, I didn't read the description so I had no idea what to expect or what the book was about. I was pleasantly surprised. I applied to read this book purely on how beautiful the cover was. I'm glad I went in without knowing anything about the story because it really was a beautiful read. If you're not into women's literature this book isn't for you, it's not a fast paced thriller or an epic fantasy, it is a heartwarming tale about grief. The book is dual character and dual timeline which was very interesting, I've never seen that before. The chapters are also really short which makes it easy to fly through this book. I will admit it started a little slow but the more I read and learnt about Audrey and the impact she had on others without even realising it I was hooked. Audrey is a teenager that goes through so many difficult things especially for a girl of her age but has more grace and spreads more positivity than people twice her age. The other character is jasmine who suffers her own heartbreak and I feel was a little lost, and in her own way Audrey gave Jasmine a new sense of purpose too. I think if you want a heartwarming story of 2 women from 2 different times this book is definitely for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2024
This book was a complete surprise. It was hard to get into at first but then I was sucked in by Audrey and Jasmine's story.
A young girl goes on a business trip with her father and both of them are dealing with grief. I thought this book did a great job of showing the details of grief and how it can affect families. You can't help but love Audrey and her spunk. Then you have Jasmine's story of infertility. As a person who has gone through infertility herself, this was a very gut wrenching look at what that is like for a woman.
There were a few things that I didn't like. I didn't like how Jasmine's mom was portrayed or all the stereotypes thrown into the book. I feel like some of that was unnecessary to the story and made it less endearing. I didn't really like Jasmine's husband either and wish that he had some more depth. I also wish the ending had been a bit more flushed out. I felt like it ended abruptly. I really wanted to know Granny's reaction.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read.
A young girl goes on a business trip with her father and both of them are dealing with grief. I thought this book did a great job of showing the details of grief and how it can affect families. You can't help but love Audrey and her spunk. Then you have Jasmine's story of infertility. As a person who has gone through infertility herself, this was a very gut wrenching look at what that is like for a woman.
There were a few things that I didn't like. I didn't like how Jasmine's mom was portrayed or all the stereotypes thrown into the book. I feel like some of that was unnecessary to the story and made it less endearing. I didn't really like Jasmine's husband either and wish that he had some more depth. I also wish the ending had been a bit more flushed out. I felt like it ended abruptly. I really wanted to know Granny's reaction.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read.
December 19, 2024
There were so many things to like about this book - dual timelines (1987 and 2017); dual POVs; a Southern setting; and a mystery to be solved.
If you grew up in the 80s (or were a teen or young adult in the latter part of that decade) and loved that era's music and pop culture, then this book will fill that 80s niche for you.
The chapters alternate between the voice of Jasmine, a 34 year old wife and yearning mother to be, and Audrey, a 16 year old who has been forced to travel cross country with her salesman father for the summer.
The mystery hinges on Jasmine spotting a family heirloom necklace on a 30 year old black and white glossy picture of Audrey on the wall of some Southern diner. Jasmine is certain it is the same necklace made by a beau of her Granny's 50+ years ago, which had been lost at a Civil Rights march,
It's a fun ride tracking down stories and identities from the past in a pursuit for the necklace.
Thank you, NetGalley and Open Sky Publishing, for the opportunity to jump into this eye opening jaunt. And, what about that gorgeous cover?
If you grew up in the 80s (or were a teen or young adult in the latter part of that decade) and loved that era's music and pop culture, then this book will fill that 80s niche for you.
The chapters alternate between the voice of Jasmine, a 34 year old wife and yearning mother to be, and Audrey, a 16 year old who has been forced to travel cross country with her salesman father for the summer.
The mystery hinges on Jasmine spotting a family heirloom necklace on a 30 year old black and white glossy picture of Audrey on the wall of some Southern diner. Jasmine is certain it is the same necklace made by a beau of her Granny's 50+ years ago, which had been lost at a Civil Rights march,
It's a fun ride tracking down stories and identities from the past in a pursuit for the necklace.
Thank you, NetGalley and Open Sky Publishing, for the opportunity to jump into this eye opening jaunt. And, what about that gorgeous cover?
January 31, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up
This book had potential. The storyline was intriguing, but the execution just didn't hit the mark. The chapters went back and forth between characters - Audrey from the 80's and Jasmine from 2017 - which made for a quick, fun read. But the characters' personalities were bland and took a lot of patience from the reader. Audrey's insistence on rebelling from her parents (which we later learned she had a reason) was bad enough, but then Jasmine's infatuation with pregnancy was god awful. Her obsession had the reader thinking that she only had half a brain. She's clearly a character with obsessions... and the need to do (or have) something where she feels rewarded. Her relationship with her husband was so superficial, it read fake.
But when it came down to the rating, I gave it 3.5 because there were some nice lessons to be learned in this book and it had a feel-good feeling. Audrey's chance encounters throughout the book were very sweet and all amounted to something in the end. And, again, I liked the concept of the book and thought the author did a good job keeping the story flowing while bouncing between characters.
This book had potential. The storyline was intriguing, but the execution just didn't hit the mark. The chapters went back and forth between characters - Audrey from the 80's and Jasmine from 2017 - which made for a quick, fun read. But the characters' personalities were bland and took a lot of patience from the reader. Audrey's insistence on rebelling from her parents (which we later learned she had a reason) was bad enough, but then Jasmine's infatuation with pregnancy was god awful. Her obsession had the reader thinking that she only had half a brain. She's clearly a character with obsessions... and the need to do (or have) something where she feels rewarded. Her relationship with her husband was so superficial, it read fake.
But when it came down to the rating, I gave it 3.5 because there were some nice lessons to be learned in this book and it had a feel-good feeling. Audrey's chance encounters throughout the book were very sweet and all amounted to something in the end. And, again, I liked the concept of the book and thought the author did a good job keeping the story flowing while bouncing between characters.
January 20, 2025
It had an intriguing premise, but the execution fell short in several key areas.
The characters felt underdeveloped, which made it hard to stay invested. Audrey was more engaging and pleasant to follow, but Jasmine’s perspective was frustrating and difficult to read. It seemed like we were supposed to dislike her, but her portrayal was so harsh that it felt more irritating than intentional.
Important moments in the story lacked emotional weight. Instead of feeling impactful, they read like simple diary entries, making it hard to connect or care about what was happening. This lack of depth carried over to the exploration of racial issues, which felt forced and surface-level, as though they were added just to address the topic without saying anything meaningful.
While the story itself had potential and an interesting concept, the weak character development, flat emotional tone, and poorly handled themes ultimately made it a disappointing read.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
The characters felt underdeveloped, which made it hard to stay invested. Audrey was more engaging and pleasant to follow, but Jasmine’s perspective was frustrating and difficult to read. It seemed like we were supposed to dislike her, but her portrayal was so harsh that it felt more irritating than intentional.
Important moments in the story lacked emotional weight. Instead of feeling impactful, they read like simple diary entries, making it hard to connect or care about what was happening. This lack of depth carried over to the exploration of racial issues, which felt forced and surface-level, as though they were added just to address the topic without saying anything meaningful.
While the story itself had potential and an interesting concept, the weak character development, flat emotional tone, and poorly handled themes ultimately made it a disappointing read.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
October 6, 2024
This was such an interesting story!
It's a dual timeline - Audrey's story is set in 1987, and it's fabulous! Love the 80s references and it brought back some great memories. Audrey is an awesome character, she's got chutzpa! She's on a road trip with her dad, a traveling salesman, and decides to put up autographed 8x10s of herself on all the "famous" walls of people. It's a fun story, but has a lot of serious points with her relationships with her parents.
The second story is Jasime's story - it's set in 2017. She sees a photo of Audrey's and realizes the necklace is similar to the family heirloom her Granny lost years ago. She's determined to get the necklace back and follows the trail of Audrey's photos to find her.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.
It's a dual timeline - Audrey's story is set in 1987, and it's fabulous! Love the 80s references and it brought back some great memories. Audrey is an awesome character, she's got chutzpa! She's on a road trip with her dad, a traveling salesman, and decides to put up autographed 8x10s of herself on all the "famous" walls of people. It's a fun story, but has a lot of serious points with her relationships with her parents.
The second story is Jasime's story - it's set in 2017. She sees a photo of Audrey's and realizes the necklace is similar to the family heirloom her Granny lost years ago. She's determined to get the necklace back and follows the trail of Audrey's photos to find her.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.
January 7, 2025
This book is about Audrey, a teenager girl in the 80s and Jasmine, a woman in today's age. An old family heirloom gets their lives to connect.
At first, I was not a fan of Audrey, with her teenager rebellion and bad decisions. But the more you learn about her, the better you start understanding her. It is also heartwarming to see the amount of growth she goes throughout the book and the fact that she really was a caring and special person, and a good part of her attitude had to do with her grief.
With Jasmine, I feel like she had not really found her voice and it was easy to see how people had an impact in her daily life. I did like the fact that the book shows how much pressure women goes through during her child bearing years. It can be incredibly hard to deal with it, especially if you are dealing with infertility issues. The constant nagging from family and friends does not help and I wish her family was a little more supportive of her personal goals, rather than treating her as just a vessel to carry a child. Despite all that, she's determined to find out more about Audrey and in this journey you see how many lives were impacted by her, including Jasmine's, even if not personally.
The book was slow paced at first, but it gets your attention quickly once their stories start to develop.
Overall, I recommend this book, however, check for trigger warnings first. I can see this being a though read if you have infertility issues or has lost a child/sibling.
Thank you NetGalley, Wendy Day and Open Sky publishing for proving me a copy of this book in exchange of my honest and unbiased opinion.
At first, I was not a fan of Audrey, with her teenager rebellion and bad decisions. But the more you learn about her, the better you start understanding her. It is also heartwarming to see the amount of growth she goes throughout the book and the fact that she really was a caring and special person, and a good part of her attitude had to do with her grief.
With Jasmine, I feel like she had not really found her voice and it was easy to see how people had an impact in her daily life. I did like the fact that the book shows how much pressure women goes through during her child bearing years. It can be incredibly hard to deal with it, especially if you are dealing with infertility issues. The constant nagging from family and friends does not help and I wish her family was a little more supportive of her personal goals, rather than treating her as just a vessel to carry a child. Despite all that, she's determined to find out more about Audrey and in this journey you see how many lives were impacted by her, including Jasmine's, even if not personally.
The book was slow paced at first, but it gets your attention quickly once their stories start to develop.
Overall, I recommend this book, however, check for trigger warnings first. I can see this being a though read if you have infertility issues or has lost a child/sibling.
Thank you NetGalley, Wendy Day and Open Sky publishing for proving me a copy of this book in exchange of my honest and unbiased opinion.
September 16, 2024
This is a dual timeline book, featuring a 16 year old travelling with her dad in 1987 and a Black woman following her journey 30 years later. I think fans of Charlene Carr would enjoy this, with it's themes of family, legacy and (very lightly) race. The outline of this book is fantastic (I won't explain the plot here because of spoilers) but I never found the characters entirely believable. Maybe it was because both parts were written in first person present tense. Maybe the writing was just a little bit clunky. Some the reveals were just dumped there, in what felt like arbitrary spots. This read like a second draft, and just a little bit of rearranging and editing could have elevated the writing.
March 25, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Open Sky Publishing for the advanced copy!
This was a good story. I didn't love Audrey at first, but I fell in love with her throughout the story. I loved the idea that we touch people without even knowing/realizing.
I also LOVED the way that Jasmine tracked down Audrey's story. The pacing felt a little off for this story - the beginning stretched out, and the ending a bit rushed. But overall, I really enjoyed reading this and really wanted to know the ending of Audrey's story.
I did think the infertility storyline was unnecessary, as it didn't add anything to the overall story. I guess it gave Jasmine more depth or maybe a reason for a deeper desire for family?
Trigger warnings: infertility, child death, sibling death
This was a good story. I didn't love Audrey at first, but I fell in love with her throughout the story. I loved the idea that we touch people without even knowing/realizing.
I also LOVED the way that Jasmine tracked down Audrey's story. The pacing felt a little off for this story - the beginning stretched out, and the ending a bit rushed. But overall, I really enjoyed reading this and really wanted to know the ending of Audrey's story.
I did think the infertility storyline was unnecessary, as it didn't add anything to the overall story. I guess it gave Jasmine more depth or maybe a reason for a deeper desire for family?
Trigger warnings: infertility, child death, sibling death
September 21, 2024
free ebook
her grannie had a special necklace she lost in a civil rights march. a white girl is wearing it in a photo the granddaughter found in a diner. she is trying to locate the girl to get the necklace back
the girl wearing it had a sister that died in a accident. she wants to be famous and is putting her photo up various places the summer her dad is making her go with him on his summer work trip
the granddaughter is trying to get preg but keeps having miscarriages. her husband wants her to stop searching for the girl with the necklace
she tracks her down, the girl was preg at 16 which she found out at the hospital when she broke her wrist in a tornado
she had the daughter and died of cancer.
the woman contacted the daughter and asked for the necklace back. she got it back and was just going to give it to her grandmother and the book ended
her grannie had a special necklace she lost in a civil rights march. a white girl is wearing it in a photo the granddaughter found in a diner. she is trying to locate the girl to get the necklace back
the girl wearing it had a sister that died in a accident. she wants to be famous and is putting her photo up various places the summer her dad is making her go with him on his summer work trip
the granddaughter is trying to get preg but keeps having miscarriages. her husband wants her to stop searching for the girl with the necklace
she tracks her down, the girl was preg at 16 which she found out at the hospital when she broke her wrist in a tornado
she had the daughter and died of cancer.
the woman contacted the daughter and asked for the necklace back. she got it back and was just going to give it to her grandmother and the book ended
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2024
This was a pleasant and quick read. There are two main characters - one is a 16 year old girl, wise beyond her years, who is unhappy about having to travel around the south in the summer of 1987 with her father while he does his rounds as a salesman (it is not explained why this was necessary), the other character is a woman in 2017 who lives a privileged life with her lawyer husband, her only job is to get pregnant. When she sees a photograph at a bakery of the 16 year old girl, she sees the necklace that her grandmother lost over 40 years ago, and begins an odyssey to get it back.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this novel.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this novel.
September 16, 2024
I like that And Then It Was September was told with a dual timeline. The chapters alternate between 16-year-old Audrey in 1986 and 34-year-old Jasmine in 2017. This book was disappointing to me. The plot moved slowly through most of the book without much happening. It did improve near the end. I empathized with Audrey's situation but did not care for Jasmine's character, who seemed slightly prejudiced. Thanks to the author Wendy Day, Open Sky Publishing, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
September 18, 2024
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. It has dual timelines and I enjoyed Audrey's timeline much more than Jasmine's. However, the story just seemed kind of choppy to me. I feel like we were just dropped into the middle of the book and we really didn't know who the main characters were. Also, I think the story ended abruptly. I would've liked to know more about Audrey's life after the road trip with her Father.
Over all this book was just okay for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for a copy of this book for review.
Over all this book was just okay for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for a copy of this book for review.
March 6, 2025
I loved the idea of this book - a dual timeline story about a girl traveling with her dad in the 80s and a Black woman following in her footsteps almost three decades later to find a missing necklace. But honestly, I'm still on the fence about this book. I loved the dual timelines, but Audrey's story was way more interesting to me than Jasmine's. And then the ending was so abrupt, giving no closure. Sadly, I didn’t enjoy this book; nonetheless, I appreciate the opportunity to have read it.
Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!
May 21, 2025
I don’t know why it took my forever to read this wonderful book, but am glad I did. I loved Jasmine and Audrey’s characters both fierce in their own ways. This was a dual timeline which can sometimes be tricky to follow but I had no problem in this book. Once I began reading I couldn’t put it down, i needed to know what happened to this fiery red headed Audrey and Jasmine who was in search of herself as well as the necklace.
I want to thank @NetGalley and @OpenSkyPublishing for having allowed me to read this rad Arc.
I want to thank @NetGalley and @OpenSkyPublishing for having allowed me to read this rad Arc.
September 25, 2024
And Then It Was September by Wendy Day was an exceptional literary work. The journey to the end of the book was even more satisfying than I expected.
I loved the way this was written, there were a few mistakes but the writing was smooth and beautiful. I definitely would recommend it for those who like dual timelines, multiple POVs, and family sagas.
I loved the way this was written, there were a few mistakes but the writing was smooth and beautiful. I definitely would recommend it for those who like dual timelines, multiple POVs, and family sagas.
March 12, 2026
And Then It Was September is a warm and reflective story about legacy, identity, and the unexpected ways lives become connected across time. Wendy Day weaves together two timelines with charm and emotional depth, creating a thoughtful narrative about dreams, family history, and the marks we leave behind.
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