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Jeff Billington
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Summer's Second Kindle Edition

by Jeff Billington (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 38 ratings
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Asher Brock’s last summer of youth is far from ideal. His hopes for the future, including an escape from his constricting Ozark Mountains hometown, seem increasingly fragile as he faces hurdles of poverty and abuse, all while coming to terms with being gay. Raised by an alcoholic single mother, he clings to his noted intelligence as an escape to a better life. But it will take more than brains—namely, strength of character and aspiration—for him to navigate the months leading to his senior year of high school.

The pregnancy of his recent girlfriend, the heightened aggression of his long-time bully, and the increasing presence of his long-absent father create a season of turmoil, spurring unease and self-doubt. But with support from family and friends, an opportunity for love, and the shedding of generations of secrets, Asher sees beyond preordained fate and starts to realize the opportunities in his grasp.

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  1. Print length
    246 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    December 13, 2022
  5. File size
    1463 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BPNBG1SQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ NineStar Press (December 13, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 13, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1463 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 246 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 38 ratings

About the author

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Jeff Billington

Jeff Billington

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Jeff Billington grew up on a farm in the Ozark Mountains of Southwest Missouri, surrounded by animals, family, and local lore. His adult life has included stints as a journalist, communications director for a member of Congress, and working for environmental and advocacy nonprofits. He currently lives in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
38 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Catherine B
5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't put it down.
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2023
Verified Purchase
I found this book, which was published a few months before Chicken Dinner News, to be so readable and so engaging that I lost sleep to finish the book.

Character development is excellent; no major character is one-dimentional – not even Tommy, the classmate who bullies Ash. Pace and dialogue are on point as well. Now that I’ve read both of the White Oak books (my own name for the set), I’m more eager than ever to see what White Oak characters might feature in Jeff Billington’s next novel.
One person found this helpful
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Brendan
5.0 out of 5 stars Two Thumbs Up!
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2023
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Excellent book! Great reminder of just how common hardship is. No one is immune. Asher lives hard life while others appear much less burdened. At least on surface. But no life is perfect and we do not always know pain others may hide. People can be damaged and still hold immense value.
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Laura Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars A heavy and thoughtful teen story
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2023
Summer's Second is about a boy named Asher Summer who lives in a small town and is digging to get out while life plants him deeper into the soil of his hometown. It's a life full of poverty, abuse, and neglect, but there is still hope as Asher hopes to earn a scholarship to college so that he can get away and become successful. But with so much holding him back, that idea feels far fetched.

Summer's Second is the perfect, angsty teenage story for any reader who is going through a lot and wants some company for their misery. It's a heavy tale that's sometimes hard to take, but there is a purpose to all of the torture that the protagonist endures and a hopeful message behind it.
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Giffoni
5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE IT!
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2022
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I loved this moving story of one teen’s summer of discovery and how he fights to overcome the challenges facing him, from his mother’s alcoholism to an unyielding and surprising bully. Beautifully written, I quickly connected with the characters and felt my heart speed up in some of the most intense scenes. I would recommend it to anyone, young adult or old, as it tells an important story about growing up gay and poor in rural America.
2 people found this helpful
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Monce
5.0 out of 5 stars Recommend to Young and Old
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2023
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It might tell the story of a 17-year-old who often feels alone and unprepared for what will come next, but it is really about any of us who have fought and won against adversity. A great read for anyone from their teens to their 90s.
2 people found this helpful
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BJ
5.0 out of 5 stars Coming of age novel for the modern era
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2023
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The coming-of-age novel is a literary tradition that is expected of any writer that wishes to be taken seriously. I would suggest that "Summer's Second" is a worthy submission to the canon. The setting is present-day rural Missouri, in a run-down, almost dystopian American small town. At the start of the novel, the protagonist is heading down a path to become a permanent player in his town's decay. By the end, we have witnessed a teenager become an ideal modern man: aware of his strengths and weaknesses, and more empathetic and kind because of the experience.
One person found this helpful
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ismael
5.0 out of 5 stars A Moving Read
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2023
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A wonderful book with a great message about not letting where you come from stop you. An especially inspirational story for those out there that have felt like an outsider. Highly recommend it.
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User284650
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic read!
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2023
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Filled with flawed but sympathetic characters, the author has skillfully written a coming-of-age story that is both heartbreaking and hopeful. Highly recommended for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider- you won't be able to put it down!
One person found this helpful
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