Blog Tour | Hurricane Summer by Asha Bromfield

Hurricane Summer by Asha Bromfield

YA, Contemporary

Wednesday Books | May 4th, 2021

5/5 Stars

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.

Tilla and her younger sister Mia are spending the summer with their dad who lives in Jamaica. Mia is excited to see their father while Tilla still remembers all her fathers broken promises. 

After arriving in Jamaica, Tilla and Mia stay with their aunts, uncles, and cousins in the country. Mia only being nine easily acclimates and gets along with her cousins while Tilla can’t quite find her place in this family she hardly knows and who don’t seem to want her.

Tilla’s story is sad, she’s in a country she’s supposed to a part of just trying to fit in while her aunts and cousins are telling her father lies left and right. Tilla is only eighteen, still trying to find herself, all while being shamed for being from ‘foreign’ and being different.

This book was intense to say the least and it’s definitely not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. I highly recommend having tissues on hand because this book will bring out emotions you had no idea you had. There were several moments in this book that I just wanted to crawl through the pages and punch some people. 

I had to set this book down a few times just to stop and take a breath, to wipe my eyes, because my heart ached for Tilla and all I wanted to do was reach through the pages and wrap my arms around her.

Hurricane Summer is about a girl who is just looking for the love of her father. It’s about the shame young women get for showing their sexuality. It’s about the differences in lifestyles of other countries. It’s ultimately about the dangers of growing up and becoming a young woman.

I’m glad I was asked to be a part of this blog tour. Thank you, Wednesday Books and NetGalley for providing me with an arc for this book.