“The Summer I Remembered Everything” by Catherine Con Morse: A Tender YA Journey Through Memory, Identity, and Hard Choices
- Kim Bartosch
- Jul 11
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 27
Catherine Con Morse’s The Summer I Remembered Everything (Crown Books for Young Readers, April 29, 2025) is a poignant coming-of-age novel that delves into themes of identity, caregiving, and the complexities of human relationships. The story follows Emily Chen-Sanchez, a biracial Asian-Latine teenager navigating a tumultuous summer marked by family tensions, personal growth, and a deepening bond with an elderly woman battling dementia.
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing the book and for allowing me to share my honest review. This book tour is sponsored by Toppling Stacks Tours.
About the book:
Title: The Summer I Remembered Everything
Author: Catherine Con Morse
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: April 29, 2025
Genre: YA, Realistic Fiction
Book Buy Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Rep: Biracial, AAPI, Latine
Synopsis:
In search of a summer escape from her overbearing family, an Asian-Latine teenager becomes the mentee to a chic elderly woman. But as her mentor’s memory starts to fade, the teenager is confronted with a choice that may jeopardize their friendship.
Emily Chen-Sanchez can’t do anything right. She’s been grounded for a bad grade; she can’t stop fighting with her perfect older sister; everyone’s tense because her mother’s just been diagnosed with thyroid cancer; and she hasn’t spoken to her best friend Matt in two weeks, four days, and about seven hours (not that she’s counting).
Her new summer job is the perfect as companion to an eclectic, lively, Super Southern elderly lady, Mrs. Granucci. All Emily has to do is help Mrs. G ‘remember” her likes, dislikes, anything Mrs. G has a habit of forgetting, even Emily’s name. Emily feels closer to Mrs. G than everyone else until Mrs. G falsely accuses Emily. The betrayal will have ramifications for them both, and Emily must make a decision that will change their lives forever.
The Summer I Remembered Everything is a story of longing for an escape, finding yourself, caring for someone with an illness, and learning that sometimes the right decision is always the hardest.
Content Warning: Chronically ill parent, cancer, dementia
My Review
"The Summer I Remembered Everything"
by Catherine Con Morse
Emily Chen-Sanchez is grounded, grappling with her mother's recent cancer diagnosis, and estranged from her best friend, Matt. Seeking an escape, she takes a summer job as a companion to the vibrant and eccentric Mrs. Granucci. What begins as a simple role evolves into a profound connection, as Emily becomes an anchor for Mrs. G amidst her fading memories. However, when a false accusation threatens their bond, Emily faces a heart-wrenching decision that tests her values and maturity.
👩👧 Characters & Representation
Emily's character is richly drawn, embodying the struggles of adolescence compounded by cultural expectations and familial responsibilities. Her biracial heritage—Taiwanese and Panamanian—is thoughtfully integrated into the narrative, offering readers a nuanced perspective on identity. Mrs. Granucci serves as both a mentor and a mirror, reflecting the complexities of aging and memory loss. The supporting cast, including Emily's family and friends, add depth to the story, highlighting the multifaceted nature of relationships.(pinereadsreview.com)
✍️ Writing Style & Themes
Con Morse's prose is intimate and evocative, capturing the essence of teenage introspection and the weight of adult responsibilities. Themes of caregiving, cultural identity, and the moral ambiguities of right and wrong are interwoven seamlessly, prompting readers to reflect on their own values and choices. The narrative's pacing allows for a gradual unfolding of character development, mirroring the slow, often painful process of personal growth.
📖 Critical Reception
The novel has garnered a spectrum of reviews:
Booklist praises it as a "refreshing coming-of-age novel" that leaves readers with a smile.(Penguin Random House)
Kirkus Reviews describes it as "a gentle, emotionally astute coming-of-age story."(Penguin Random House)
The Horn Book commends Con Morse's immersive storytelling, noting that "these moments add up to a summer of transformation in which the protagonist finds her voice and self-acceptance."(Amazon)
Youth Services Book Review offers a more critical perspective, suggesting that while Emily's voice is authentic, the multitude of themes may not be fully explored, potentially leaving older teen readers wanting more depth.(Youth Services Book Review)
🎯 Ideal Readers
This novel is well-suited for readers aged 12 and up who appreciate character-driven stories that tackle real-life issues with sensitivity and honesty. Fans of contemporary YA fiction that explores cultural identity, family dynamics, and the challenges of caregiving will find The Summer I Remembered Everything both relatable and thought-provoking.
🛍️ Final Thoughts
Catherine Con Morse delivers a heartfelt debut that resonates with authenticity and emotional depth. While the novel ambitiously tackles multiple heavy themes, its strength lies in its honest portrayal of a teenager's journey through a summer that changes her life. For those seeking a story that balances the complexities of adolescence with the profound impact of intergenerational relationships, this book is a worthy addition to your reading list.
Note: This review is based on available information and critical reception as of July 2025.
Meet the author:
Catherine Con Morse’s debut novel, THE NOTES, was shortlisted for the CRAFT first chapters contest. A Kundiman fellow, she received her MFA from Boston University, where she taught undergraduate creative writing for several years. Her work appears in Joyland, Letters, HOOT, Bostonia, and elsewhere, and has been a finalist for the Beacon Street Prize and the Baltimore Review fiction prize. While writing THE NOTES, she was one of the inaugural Writers in Residence at Porter Square Books, where she enjoyed writing in the back office and eating croissants with her cafe discount.
Catherine attended college on a music scholarship at the University of South Carolina, where she received a B.M. in piano performance. She also holds an Ed.M. in Arts in Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education. In high school, Catherine attended the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, a public arts boarding school. While there, she was as intrigued with her piano teacher as Claire is with Dr. Li. Catherine continues to play and occasionally teach piano today. Most recently, she taught English at Choate Rosemary Hall, and lives in the Connecticut River Valley with her husband and daughter.
Giveaway:
One (1) hardcover of "The Summer I Remembered Everything" by Catherine Con Morse. USA only, ends on August 31, 2025 - Midnight EST.
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