A Summer To Remember: A Multicultural Romance Novel

By Miss Ifeoma Lolita Mokolo

"A Summer To Remember" is an expansive, heartwarming, and emotionally resonant novel set in the small town of Edenridge, Washington. The story centers on Tiana Jackson, a successful Black American architect who returns to her hometown after years away in Seattle. Her homecoming coincides with the eve of Juneteenth, a momentous occasion that carries both personal and communal significance.
Tiana is immediately swept up in the rhythms of her family's legacy and the broader tapestry of Edenridge: her formidable mother Helen, her chef cousin Zane (who is quietly struggling with coming out), and her childhood best friend Brooklyn, an irrepressible radio DJ. The Jackson homestead, filled with memories and the scent of her late grandmother's cooking, becomes the point of convergence for homecoming, healing, and hope.
The narrative quickly introduces Elijah Brooks, a single father and local contractor who shares a complicated past-and a simmering new chemistry-with Tiana. Their rekindled relationship forms the emotional core of the novel, evolving through shared projects, community challenges, and the delicate forging of trust not just between them, but with Elijah's young daughter, Mia. Their bond deepens as they tackle the revitalization of the town's festival grounds, collaboration that is as much about rebuilding the physical heart of Edenridge as it is about mending old wounds and claiming new beginnings.
Old rivalries come to the surface, especially with Madison Carter-the ambitious local influencer and Tiana's high school rival. Madison's journey from antagonist to ally is woven through power struggles, sabotage attempts, and ultimately, forgiveness and mutual respect. The story explores the complexity of competition, envy, and the capacity for growth.
The larger community of Edenridge is vibrant and fully realized, featuring supporting characters who diversify and enrich the tapestry: Zane's secret romance with his sous chef Jamar, Brooklyn's broadcasting escapades, the wisdom of elders like Bee Carter and Reverend Samuel Green, and the everyday joys and tribulations of small-town life. LGBTQ+ identities are affirmed and celebrated, and the narrative embraces the multiplicity of Black American experience, with intersections of biracial and multicultural heritage.
The plot unfolds over forty chapters, each capturing the push and pull of tradition and change, the strains of family secrets, and the power of community-led healing. The novel navigates multiple threads: the restoration of the festival grounds as a symbol of inclusive progress, the tension of town council politics, Juneteenth celebrations, moonlit mischief that transforms rivalries into friendships, and the discovery of historical letters that tie generations together.
Central to the story is the transformation of Edenridge itself-from a town divided by suspicion, old hurts, and resistance to change, into a community where forgiveness, honesty, and vulnerability become the foundation for a better future. Through arson, scandal, and the hardships of public opinion, the characters band together, learning that true strength comes from showing up for each other, embracing differences, and letting go of the past.
Tiana's journey is mirrored in the arcs of Zane-who comes out and finds love and acceptance; Madison-who learns to relinquish control and embrace empathy; and Elijah-who learns to risk love again after loss. Mia, Elijah's daughter, embodies innocence and the promise of new beginnings, her puppy Jubilee and the building of a treehouse serving as metaphors for the creative and nurturing spirit of the town.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FJ1SS1H7
• ISBN13: 9798292859291
• Release Date: July 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 158 Pages
• Weight: 0.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"