What People Are Saying

“The Summer We Kissed at Blackbird" by Marie Lopez is a charming romance that captures the essence of summer love while exploring deeper themes of self-discovery, friendship, and overcoming personal struggles. It’s the perfect read for those looking for a feel-good, yet meaningful story.

The novel follows L.C., a college-bound teen who unexpectedly finds herself falling in love at Blackbird, her family’s summer vacation home. Amidst the sun, the carefree days, and the blossoming romance, L.C. faces challenges in multiple relationships that force her to confront her own fears and anxieties.

In addition to exploring the highs and lows of young love and self-discovery, “The Summer We Kissed at Blackbird” doesn’t shy away from darker, more difficult themes. One of the most poignant aspects of the book is its exploration of mental health struggles. The story touches on their emotional toll, and how grief, loss, and feelings of isolation can affect a person’s life.

Lopez’s writing is smooth and evocative, with an ability to transport the reader into the warmth and beauty of summer. The tone is light and often playful, but there are moments of reflection that give the story emotional weight.Overall, "The Summer We Kissed at Blackbird" is a heartwarming and poignant romance that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on your own relationships. It’s a perfect read for anyone who loves a good love story with a bit of depth.”

— Lindsey Lukas, senior editor at Hughes Media

“If you’re looking for a book that feels like a warm breeze, a secret glance across a campfire, and the kind of summer that changes everything—you need this one in your life.

Marie Lopez totally nailed that nostalgic, coming-of-age vibe with a friend group you’ll want to be part of and moments that feel straight out of a dreamy indie movie. It’s heartfelt, honest, and quietly powerful. Think: deep talks under the stars, complicated friendships, and the kind of emotional glow-up that sneaks up on you.

No spoilers—but prepare to text your bestie and say, “You HAVE to read this.”

Perfect for fans of Jenny Han, Sarah Dessen, or anyone who’s ever had a summer they’ll never forget.”

— Melissa

“I absolutely loved this book. The Summer We Kissed at Blackbird pulled me in from the first chapter and didn’t let go until the very end. It has everything I look for in a story—romance, a gorgeous setting, great characters, and just the right amount of drama and emotion.

LC is such a relatable main character. She’s thoughtful, a little unsure of herself, and trying to make sense of everything life throws at her. I really connected with her as she navigated friendships, unexpected feelings, family tension, and all the gray areas in between. Her connection with Gavin was so well written—natural, a little messy, and totally believable. And then there’s Connor, who added just the right amount of mystery and complexity to the mix.

What I really loved was how real everything felt. The emotions, the shifting dynamics, the bittersweet moments—nothing felt forced or overdone. And Blackbird Lake? I could see it. The writing brought it all to life so vividly, it felt like I was right there with the characters.

It’s one of those stories that sticks with you—not just because of the romance or the drama, but because of how honest it is about figuring yourself out when everything around you is changing.

Highly recommend!!”

— Janelle

“Marie Lopez’s debut novel, The Summer We Kissed at Blackbird, is a heartfelt and engaging coming-of-age story that immerses readers in the highs and lows of friendship, family, and first love. From the very first chapter, Lopez does a fantastic job of making you feel like a part of the friend group, capturing the easy banter, inside jokes, and deep connections that define close-knit friendships.

One of the book’s strongest elements is its portrayal of family dynamics. Each character comes with their own baggage, and Lopez weaves these personal struggles into the story in a way that feels natural and relatable. The romance is filled with the kind of tension and uncertainty that comes with young adult relationships, making it easy to root for the characters even when they make frustrating decisions.

Lopez’s writing has a warmth and authenticity that makes this an enjoyable read, and it’s an impressive debut that leaves me excited to see what she writes next.

If you love books that capture the nostalgia of summer, the complexities of growing up, and the bonds that shape us, The Summer We Kissed at Blackbird is worth picking up!”

— Kate

“I bought this for my daughter who couldn’t put it down! She was so hooked she read it during class and finished in two days. She said it was SO good, easy to follow, captured her attention, and had her wanting to know more. She can’t wait for the next one! Naturally talented writer. She liked the reference to the 90s music and laughed it was what her mom listens to :) I’ll be reading the book during my spring break.”

— Krista

“I could not put my Kindle down this weekend!! Loved this book. Really hoping for more on these friends. <3 ”

— Tiffany

The Summer we kissed at Blackbird is a great book for the young & old. This heartwarming story of first love, friendships & family and the ups & downs of it all. The author does a great job with the characters in the book making you want to keep reading another chapter. Definitely recommend this book.

— Barbara

“What an incredible book, it really kept you wanting more. Very engaging in the story line and great background on the house and atmosphere of each summer and each character. You get to spend the summer with them but really feeling like you already know LC and her friends. Very refreshing story about young adults firsts, pressures and real life situations very relevant, very well done! After feeling connected to each one of them she pulls on your heart strings. Lopez did an amazing job on her first book, can’t wait to see what else she’s got next. Although YA book, I loved reading and couldn’t put it down.”

-Cheryl

“This sweet story not only transports you to the sunny, summer shores of Lake Michigan-it instantly takes you right back to 18 again. With characters who feel like friends you’ve had for years and a storyline that literally gives you those young love butterflies, it’s difficult to put down without reading just one more chapter.

The Summer We Kissed At Blackbird may be set at a picturesque family lakehouse, but its characters are faced with more than just summer fun. These teens navigate some pretty heavy subjects including anxiety and alcohol abuse with such a well-developed approach, it’s hard to believe this is Lopez’s first novel.

Looking forward to sharing this story with my friends with whom I also share years of memories of summer fun (and some butterflies) up at the lake!”

— Kathleen

“This book is a heartwarming story of friendship, first love, and family challenges. The characters are well developed and the story flows smoothly. Throughout the plot the author gives glimpses of conflicts within the characters’ daily lives pulling the reader into the story. I found myself wanting to read further as I became invested in the characters. Even though the audience is listed for ages 13-18, don’t be fooled! Anyone who enjoys the ups and downs of relationships and the struggles within will be pleased.”

— Jonnette

“If you're a parent looking for an age appropriate option for a young teen girl, this is a good choice. There are a lot of themes that would definitely resonate with that age group and the MC, Lennon, does a beautiful job navigating complex situations with wisdom beyond her years.”

— Stephanie

Great read!!!

— Tammy