Hurricane Summer by Asha Ashanti Bromfield

Tilla has spent her entire life trying to make her father love her. But every six months, he leaves their family and returns to his true home: the island of Jamaica.

When Tilla’s mother tells her she’ll be spending the summer on the island, Tilla dreads the idea of seeing him again, but longs to discover what life in Jamaica has always held for him.

In an unexpected turn of events, Tilla is forced to face the storm that unravels in her own life as she learns about the dark secrets that lie beyond the veil of paradise—all in the midst of an impending hurricane.

Hurricane Summer is a powerful coming of age story that deals with colorism, classism, young love, the father-daughter dynamic—and what it means to discover your own voice in the center of complete destruction.

Hardcover, 400 pages

Published May 4, 2021

 by Wednesday Books

4/5 stars

This one has been on my shelf since 2021, I was pleasantly surprised to see the author is from Toronto, love discovering Canadian authors.

Tilla’s father has always been half in and half out of her life. He splits his time between Toronto and Jamaica and Tilla has never stopped hoping he’ll choose them. So when she and her little sister Mia are sent to stay with him on the island for the summer, she doesn’t quite know what to expect. What she finds is a side of her father and his family she never knew. Along with secrets that come to the surface just as a hurricane heads their way.

Hurricane Summer is a well written story, Bromfield is fantastic on the emotional side of things. I felt every bit of Tilla’s hurt and longing. As a coming-of-age story it’s very well done, I was rooting for her as she began to find her own voice. Bromfield also brings Jamaican culture to life, with an island that feels vivid and real.

But boy, does Tilla have a tough time there. Some of the people she meets are just plain mean and the book doesn’t shy away from heavy subjects, like how people are judged by the shade of their skin, how much money they have and amounts of clothing one has. At times I found it hard to read, I found myself wishing Tilla could catch even a small break. That’s probably the point, but it made for an emotionally draining summer for both of us.

If you enjoy YA coming-of-age stories with real depth, this one is worth your time. Just be ready for more storm than sunshine.

This book is part of my Reading Off My Shelf Challenge -  #43