Summer State of Mind by Kristy Woodson Harvey @kristywharvey @cassandracampbell @steph_einstein @mattpittenger @simon.audio @simonaudio.bsky.social #SummerStateOfMind

the setup…
Daisy Stevens is a NICU nurse in Charlotte ready for a respite after a particularly traumatizing case. She packs up and escapes to a new, less stressful job and life in Cape Carolina. But on her first day, Mason Thaysden rushes into the hospital with a newborn he discovered in a dumpster. Mason is the high school baseball coach and member of a close-knit, established family in the community and is immediately drawn to Daisy and she to him. They’re equally connected to baby Jane Doe and Daisy becomes inexplicably attached. She’s also drawn to Mason’s family, including Aunt Tilley who has a reputation for being a little “off” but is harboring a 40-year old secret that threatens to emerge.

the heart of the story…
Family and the small town coastal setting are central to everything in this story. Mason was a baseball star in high school whose athletic career was shattered before it got started following a barroom fight. It’s taken years for him to get his act together. Daisy has her own demons stemming from her past. Their relationship ramped up pretty quickly but both are ready for a commitment and baby Jane brings them even closer…and adds conflict. I loved how Mason’s frequent family dinners were a regular element, adding so much flavor (and drama) to the story.

the narration…
Cassandra Campbell (a favorite), Stephanie Einstein & Matt Pittenger were the voices for Daisy, Tilley and Mason who provide the narratives. Each defined their characters beautifully and made them believable. All were excellent storytellers.

the bottom line…
I always enjoy Harvey’s multigenerational stories that have so much depth. This isn’t a traditional beach read but one with lots of family drama and messiness. Issues regarding abandonment, teen pregnancy, grief and buried secrets gave this added heft. The coastal setting in a small community just made this even more palatable.

Book Info

• Release Date: May 5, 2026
• Narrators: Cassandra Campbell, Stephanie Einstein & Matt Pittenger
• Audio Length: 11 hours, 15 minutes
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Listen to a Sample!

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(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio and Libro.fm for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)