Not Our Summer - by Casie Bazay (Hardcover)

About the Book

Estranged cousins K. J. and Becka must complete their deceased grandfather's strange bucket list in order to earn the inheritance they both need, but Grandpa's real motive makes it a challenge.

Book Synopsis

Two estranged cousins struggle to overcome a family feud as they travel together on five vacation trips that will change their lives forever.

It's bad enough that estranged cousins Becka and KJ see each other at their grandfather's funeral, but when he leaves them a bucket list of places to visit together over the summer, so they can earn their inheritance, it seems like things are about to get much worse.

However, with each trip the cousins complete--like riding mules into the Grand Canyon or encountering a bear and a hot tour guide at Yellowstone--they steadily learn about and begin to trust one another. That is until the truth behind Grandpa's bucket list, and their family feud, is revealed, testing Becka and KJ far beyond their limits.

Will they find a way to accept each other or will their grandpa's wish to mend his divided family end up buried alongside him inside his grasshopper green casket?

Review Quotes

"This engaging debut packs authentic dialogue, strong personalities, and fabulous destinations into a heartwarming tale of family drama and personal growth."--School Library Journal

"A heart-stealing debut, Not Our Summer maneuvers through broken family bonds, healing, and the painful truths we all must face with a brilliant fusion of humor and genuineness. Casie Bazay delivers a summer adventure that readers will find impossible to forget."--Julian Winters, award-winning author of Running With Lions

"A poignant family drama that realistically explores the growth of a complicated relationship."--Kirkus Reviews

"Bazay's debut is enjoyable realistic fiction, and believable, relatable heroines K.J. and Becka will appeal to anyone with heavy family histories."--Booklist

"You'll get swept away in this sweet and touching road trip story as Becka and KJ learn all the ways family can both hurt and heal each other. The perfect summer escape." --Sonia Hartl, author of Have a Little Faith in Me and Not Your #Lovestory

"In her debut, Not Our Summer, Casie Bazay offers a heart-y, fast-paced adventure between cousins from opposite sides of the tracks. Their hate-to-family, grandpa bucket-list road trips will leave you feeling like you've just come back from your own vacation. Bazay is definitely an author to watch."
--Deborah Maroulis, author of Within and Without

"Not Our Summer is a heartwarming debut that tackles coming-of-age, family, and navigating through everything that comes with them both with deep insight and plenty of laughs along the way. This thoughtfully-crafted story with its relatable heroines will stick with you long after you finish it."--Emma Lord, author of Tweet Cute and You Have a Match

A satisfying blend of light-hearted adventure and a deeper enemies-to-family story. I loved every mile of KJ and Becka's road trip through their grandfather's bucket list--battling whitewater rapids, a rodeo bull, and each other. This delightful book will leave you feeling sunny-warm and excited to spend summer vacation with your least-favorite relative!--Carrie S. Allen, author of Michigan Vs. the Boys

About the Author

Casie Bazay is former middle school teacher who now works as a freelance writer and editor. In her spare time, Casie enjoys exploring the great outdoors, spending time at the barn with her horses and goats, reading, and watching movies (especially young adult novel adaptations). She lives on a hay farm in northeastern Oklahoma with her husband and two children but loves traveling to new and exciting destinations whenever she can. Not Our Summer is her first published novel.