Invincible Summer by Seth King

We all remember our first love, that one affair that took custody of your heart and never really let it go. Readers around the world were touched by The Summer Remains, a heartbreaking and inspiring novel about one of these romances – but Cooper Nichols, the enigmatic young man at the center of the novel, was largely silent on the matter. Until now.

“I just can’t believe it’s over between you guys,” my best friend said as we walked down the pier. “You two were supposed to last forever.”

I stared out at the blue sea. “Oh, trust me, it’s not over. I am going to see that girl’s face in every crowd I look into, forever. And maybe a few forevers after that…”

And so begins the tale of young writer Cooper Nichols. Left in ruins after a tragic summer romance, Cooper is afraid the sun may have set on him for good – until his mother discovers a copy of Cooper’s journal he kept of that summer. As he reluctantly slips back into his own past in the pages of his notebook, Cooper starts to rethink everything he thought he knew about life, death, and all the love that can bloom in between – and what follows is a thrilling and breathtaking journey back to joy that will sink into you and stay there for the long haul.

Illuminating, romantic and soul-stirring, Invincible Summer is a testament to the miraculous power of love, in all its immortal glory and everlasting majesty. If you have ever found yourself drifting back to a long-lost romance during a quiet moment, prepare to be pulled under all over again.

“That one summer. Everyone’s got one, that fleeting season that rearranged you and imprinted itself onto your soul forever. You were mine. I swear I’ll never forget your hazel eyes. I swear I’ll never forget those few months when the winds roared. I’ll always think of you that way. And if you can, please come back to me. At the end of the day I’m just a boy who wants to get back to his first love, and I miss you. Just find a way back, please. I’ll be waiting.
Until then, I’ve got nothing…”

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A few months ago I read a book called 'The Summer Remains' by a man called Seth King. I can honestly say my life hasn't been the same since. It taught me to treat every day like it's my last. To tell my loved ones how much they mean to me. I honestly didn't think that another book would affect me the way it did. Invincible Summer did just that. Seths writing is breathtaking. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book that has made me stop to re-read a sentence or paragraph so many times because it is so beautifully written. I needed to stop and really absorb and appreciate it for it’s brilliance.

I read 'Invincible Summer' thinking it was Coopers story, a follow on book that would make me cry and my heart would break like in TSR. I was so wrong. Invincible Summer is in a whole new ballpark. Yes, I cried, but it was different to the last book. I cried because it all felt so real. It gave me closure and to revisit some of the scenes for TSR brought back all those memories. I felt that Summer and Cooper were my friends and it was truly happening to them, that I was on this ride with them and I wanted to cherish every part of their story.
It is a book like no other I’ve ever read before and I loved every single page.
While reading it, I felt like I was on a journey. It made me remember my loved ones that have passed on and had me hoping that what this brilliant author has written, is even a tiny bit true. I kept reading, thinking and hoping that there is life after death. That when we die, we can still visit our family left on earth. That we get to see each other again when our time here has come to an end.

I was talking to a lady recently that lost her 4yo son in a tragic accident a few years ago and she keeps getting signs that he is still with her. I was reading certain parts of this book and the hair on my neck and arms would all stand on end, because the conversation with my friend was almost identical to what Seth has written. I had many moments like this while reading the book and I highlighted more paragraphs and quotes than I ever have before.
Some inspiring words from the story:-
‘It is time for our happily ever after, and I am about to hold his hand for ten thousand years.

She kisses me. “You still don’t get it, do you? I am so proud of all your love. If it rained every time I thought of you, the world would drown”

‘All my life I suppressed one simple fact: she was all of my love’

‘Never has there been a wish more beautiful or more profound, for a forever with the one you love’

I could go on and on with the words that took my breath away, that made my heart skip a beat, but this review would go on forever.

I think everyone, no matter what genre they enjoy, will love ‘Invincible Summer’. In fact, I think it’s a book the world needs to read. It puts everything that we take for granted into perspective and for that I thank Seth King for making me see things and absorb things that I normally wouldn’t take the time to truly appreciate and cherish.

Seth, you have a gift for writing and I hope that you continue to give us these stories that open up a whole new world to us. I will continue to follow your work and support you through everything you do. You deserve all the success in the world.

One last sentence and probably my favourite:
I see one last glimpse of her face, mischievous even in the stars, and just like that, she floats on.

* You should read ‘The Summer Remains’ first to understand the background of Summer and Coopers story.