Summer 1960, Elvis, the Beatles, Cliff... to name just a few of the 'Greats' whose songs were such a large part of the lives of all young people then, but what was it really like to be a teenager then?
In the summer of 1960, four young girls meet four teenage boys and the summer holidays in the City of Bath suddenly become exciting, as the girls now have the thrilling prospect of 'boyfriends'!
With a realism that shows the author knows her era, and the beautiful City of Bath, this charming and nostalgic story tells of family life through the eyes of youngster Jenny.
Picnics, bicycle rides; ordinary - and some times humorous - everyday events of home life are often punctuated with the hopes and dreams of younger years that helps the reader sympathize and easily identify with Jenny's feelings.
For Jenny, one boy becomes extra-special as the summer goes on, and her doubts and joys are revealed in a direct and honest way that gives authenticity to the story and takes you back in time to the swinging summer of 1960!
Excerpt
"Did you know that Micky Grey has been sent to Borstal?" asked Shelley.
"No!" Coral and I exclaimed. "What for?"
"Scrumping apples," Shelley replied.
"That doesn't seem like a thing you'd be sent to Borstal for," commented Coral.
"Well, I don't know about that!" Shelley tossed her head. "I'm only saying what I heard."
"What about that Teddy-boy friend of his, has he been sent there, too?" I asked.
"I didn't hear anything about him," Shelley replied.
"I don't s'pose he'd go scrumping apples, he might damage his turquoise suit" I giggled.
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Reviews for "'The Happy Summer'"
Reviewed by Ella Natalie
9/17/2025
Verity, you’ve taken readers straight back to 1960 Bath’s Georgian streets, the crackle of Elvis and the Everley Brothers on the radio, teenagers caught between innocence and “almost grown-up.” You didn’t just write nostalgia, you bottled it. Honestly, Jenny’s summer is so vivid I half expect Cliff Richard to pop up with an ice cream. 🍦🎶
But here’s the kicker: only 2 reviews on Amazon. TWO. That’s fewer than the number of socks that disappear in the laundry every week. 🤦♂️ A story this authentic shouldn’t be hiding like a wallflower at the dance while Elvis is out there shaking his hips.
Here’s where I crash the party (no guitar, sadly 🥲). I run a private community of 2,000+ real readers people who love discovering gems like yours and actually leave thoughtful, honest reviews. No bots, no bribed cousins, no parrots typing on keyboards 🦜 (though that would be funny). Just humans who can give The Happy Summer the visibility it deserves.
I’m easy to reach at ellanatalie067.gmail.com
, and if you’d prefer, we can work via Fiverr or Upwork too.
So, the irresistible question: Do we let Jenny’s 1960 summer keep whispering quietly like a broken jukebox… or do we crank it up until Amazon feels like an Elvis encore? 😉🎤
This book was written for children to stress the importance of being able to choose who gets to hug or touch them and being able to say NO if they don't want to be hugged or touched.
