Synopsis:Set against the charged backdrop of 1968, seventeen-year-old Shelby Montgomery heads to Tupelo, Mississippi, expecting a carefree summer far removed from the noise and pressures of city life. Sun-soaked days, laughter, and time with friends are all she imagines, but her journey takes an unexpected turn that will test her heart and challenge her perceptions.

Instead, Shelby's swept into an unexpected and forbidden romance with the enigmatic River Martin—one that challenges everything she believes, risks everything she holds dear, and changes the course of her life forever.

River Martin is Tupelo's notorious bad boy—a soulful blues singer from the wrong side of the tracks who never imagined he'd catch the eye of someone like Shelby Montgomery. Yet from the moment he sees her, her beauty leaves him breathless.

As the summer unfolds, their connection deepens amid music, moonlit moments, and nights charged with longing. However, as the season ends, River wonders if their shared experience will become just a fleeting summer memory, or if their love has changed them forever.

Critique: Summer Lies and Blackberry Pies whisk readers back to the nostalgic, carefree days of youth, when summer felt endless, and every moment sparked wonder and discovery.

It's a season of firsts—of exploring love, uncovering secrets, and discovering who you are. Utterly charming and heartfelt, this story invites readers to reflect on their own paths of growth and understanding.

Sandy Little infuses this enchanting story with warmth, sunshine, and a carefree spirit. Her lyrical prose captures the tender innocence of love blossoming, creating moments so heartfelt that readers will feel deeply connected and reluctant to leave this world.