"After Summer" is a poignant and evocative novel that explores the complexities of love, loss, and identity in the aftermath of a life-altering summer. The story follows 17-year-old Ava, who returns to her hometown in the Pacific Northwest after a transformative summer spent traveling with her free-spirited mother. As Ava navigates her senior year of high school, she grapples with the consequences of her mother's secrets and the fragility of their relationship. As Ava struggles to reconcile her past and present selves, she finds solace in an unlikely friendship with a quiet and introspective classmate, Jin. Together, they embark on a journey of self-discovery, confronting the darkness of their own family histories and the uncertainty of their futures. Through lyrical prose and nuanced characterization, "After Summer" captures the ache of growing up and the resilience of the human spirit. As Ava and Jin navigate the treacherous landscape of adolescence, they must confront the ultimate question: what happens after the summer of our lives is over?