“Those We Knew in Summer is a story Young Adults can easily connect with. It is a refreshing novel about six friends that attend the annual music festival, Bellewood Bounce, every year. They deal with so many things in life that many people in their mid twenties deal with—the loss of a loved one, drugs, sex, relationships, break-ups, etc. We see story characters also involved in all this.

Bellewood Bounce is their perfect escape for a while from their mundane life issues. I often worry about my life purpose and at most times I feel underpaid and under-appreciated at work like Carlo.

Carlo is looking forward for this year’s Bellewood Bounce and hopes to shake the feeling of not being worthy of his dreams and aspirations. Find out for yourself about the events that will happen in the life of Carlo and his friends.

The cover of the book couldn’t have been better than this. The plot of the story is interesting, engaging and sensitive. The story is set up in the hometown of Carlo i.e. Clinton, New Jersey. Through this book, Nicholas has very well described the problems that Young Adults face. I loved this novel and i am looking forward to reading more work of Nicholas in the future.”

“Every generation has its triumphs and defeats. This story takes a good hard look at what those are for the current generations—and likely the ones to come as well.”

“#qotd: What is your way of escaping your boring routine?

I have picked the debut novel of the author Nicholas DeRosa. After a very long time, I have come across a book to which I have connected.

The story is set in a quiet town of Clinton, New Jersey that has lot to offer. A Catholic man Carlo is seeing a therapist because of the chaos in his life. It’s the chaos that we all have in our day to day life. In the mid of all this chaos, Carlo was once recalling the good moments in his life and the memory of Bellewood Bounce, a music festival came to his mind.

As the story progresses, Carlo and his friends plans for the festival. Whatever has happened with Gabe is a wake up call for Carlo. Will he find a purpose in life and the answers he is looking for?

Plot of the story is well written. The story hooked me from the very first page. It was my perfect escape from my office work. I binge read it. I didn’t felt like it’s the debut novel of the author as Nic has very well presented it. Go ahead with this book without thinking twice guys. It’s a great read.

My Rating: 4.5/5”

“Those we Knew in Summer is a different kinda novel. It highlights the struggles of today’s youth. Most of us are struggling in our life and we often think whatever we are doing, is it right?, can we ever find happiness? It’s mainstream to have these kinda thought. When I started reading this book and found out the main character Carlo having these thoughts, I immediately found this book interesting. Whenever I feel full of chaos and depressed, a trip to different cities is my escape. In this story, for Carlo an annual music festival is his escape. As Carlo and his friends visit to the 15th annual Bellewood Bounce, they enjoy each other’s company. This three day music festival and the story has much in store for the readers. Language of the book is lucid. Cover is too good. Narration is medium paced. It’s a captivating read. I liked the set list given at the end of the book. Ending of the story is nice and thought provoking.

Add it to your TBR and enjoy it yourself. My rating is a 4/5”

“Those We Knew In Summer is a unique and engaging piece about the camaraderie, struggles, and love occurring in the lives of young adults today. The characters are classic and the setting is what brings it all together—a music festival serving as a crockpot for emotion and experience. DeRosa’s attentive writing style makes the reader feel as if they are at the fest too! A wonderful piece, an easy flowing read, I would recommend this book to any and all of the widest audience.”

“Nick DeRosa has spun another tale of the times. Those We Knew in Summer is a gripping read that dives deep into our current cultural trends. The topic being the almighty “music festival,” and the characters taking the reader on a tour of young adulthood’s experimentation of drugs, sex, and angst. I found myself joining the crowds of The Bellewood Bounce, getting lost in the sound of 21st Century coming-of-age culture, and following Carlo as he tries desperately to find his way in an increasingly noisy world. A well-paced read, with evocatively pure writing and swirling intoxicating scenes, Those We Knew in Summer will inspire your next adventure to the wild world of the electronic music festivals or take you back to your best memories of the festival grounds where love, music, art, and drugs reign free.”

“Recently I read the book “Those We Knew In Summer” on my friend’s recommendation. It is a fiction novel that revolves around six friends who attends an annual music festival in their hometown Clinton, New Jersey. They are going to this festival annually since last 8 years. This book will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions that Carlo and his friends went through. I enjoyed every bit of this novel and I like to recommend it to my fellow readers.

Rating: 4.5/5”

“I could not put this book down. It does not matter where your outside interests lie, this book will keep you wildly entertained throughout. “Those we Knew in Summer” centers around a group of friends headed to a local musical festival. It interweaves a coming of age story filled with nostalgia and rich, fully realized characters. Mr. DeRosa has the ability to connect with his audience through sharp, emotionally connective dialogue and an experience meant to last a lifetime. DeRosa is a bright up and coming author to keep your eye on.”