Have you ever looked at your mom and suddenly realized there was a whole person there besides “Mom”? Lost in the Summer of ’69 by Eliza Knight made me think about that very thing. In this book, three generations of women are trying to figure out who they are and what they really want from life. I think a lot of women will see a little bit of themselves in at least one of them.
3/5 stars ★★★☆☆
From the publisher: Three generations of women, an unforgettable summer of music, and the epic cross-country road trip they’ll never forget.
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Genre: Women’s Fiction / Historical Fiction
Pages: 400
Published: June 9, 2026
My Thoughts on Lost in the Summer of ’69:
Relationships and Connections:
If you are a woman, you will probably relate to at least one of the characters in this book. You might see yourself as the daughter who is headed off to college and/or finding your first love; you could be the mother who seems stuck in her role as a mother, wife, and caregiver for her own mother; or you might be the grandmother who is struggling with aging and the onset of dementia. Heck, you might relate to all three.
The relationships in this book are well done. They are what kept driving the story. The car trip with Leanne and Nora reminded me so much of a car trip that I took with my mom when I was in college. I got to see my mom in a completely different way on that trip. I saw her carefree side instead of just her mom-and-wife side, and it changed our relationship for the better. I felt like that same thing happened with Leanne and Nora, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship change.
Historical Fiction:
It is obvious that Knight put a lot of research into her book. If you were lucky enough to be alive (and at least a teenager) during the ’60s, you will relate to a lot of the concepts in this story. I loved the mention of pay phones (and how hard it could be to reach someone when you wanted), the concerts and all of the bands that are mentioned, and even the books that they read on their car trip. The nostalgia was my favorite part of this book, even if I didn’t get to experience all of that in the summer of ’69.
The Pacing:
Where the book lost me a little was the middle. Once they started going from music festival to musical festival, I found myself wanting to move on with the story. It started to feel repetitive. I loved the beginning and the end of the book, though. The ending wraps up the story well, and that is important to me as a reader.
My Rating:
I gave this book three out of five stars. It is a cute, light story that is perfect for a summer read. I wouldn’t recommend it as a book club pick because I don’t think there is as much to discuss as with other books. It was just an okay read for me and was a nice way to pass the time. I did enjoy reliving some moments with my own mom and grandma in my mind.
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📝 Extra Credit Reading: If You Liked Lost in the Summer of ’69
If you enjoyed the mother-daughter relationships, women figuring out what they want from life, and the road-trip feel of Lost in the Summer of ’69, here are three more books I’ve reviewed that have some of those same themes.
1. The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett
Why? If you liked the road-trip part of Lost in the Summer of ’69, this is the one I would pick. Both stories use time on the road to bring people together, change relationships, and give the characters a chance to see their lives a little differently.
2. Good Joy, Bad Joy by Mikki Brammer
Why? Both books are about women trying to figure out what they really want from life. If you liked the grandmother’s storyline and the idea that it is never too late to change direction, this one is a good fit.
3. In the Beautiful Dark by Melissa Payne
Why? If you liked the parts of Lost in the Summer of ’69 that focused on aging and figuring out who you are when life doesn’t turn out the way you expected, this one has a similar feel. Both books show women at a crossroads, trying to decide what they want from the next stage of their lives instead of simply accepting the roles they have always had. I also liked that both stories remind us that self-discovery isn’t just for the young.
Disclosure: Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Eliza Knight for my free copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.
Learn more about Eliza Knight!
💬 Let’s Chat:
Have you ever had a moment when you saw your mom, or another woman in your family, as a person outside of her usual role? Did it change your relationship?
I would love for you to leave a comment!