A Year Without Autumn is a novel on twelve-year-old Jenni's discovery on what true friendship is about. Jenni's best friend is Autumn- they share every aspect of their lives with each other and love each other dearly. So; when Jenni suddenly finds herself exactly one year in the future, and a tragedy that threatens to destroy her friendship with Autumn, she races to figure out what events have taken place in a year to make their relationship so strained, and to find her way back home.

I have read many time-slip novels, and most of them have been merely mediocre. A Summer Without Autumn, unfortunately, wasn't much better. Yes, Jenni did have a certain charming quality to her, but she was so wistful that you can't help but feel a sense of foreboding. She spent much of her time contemplating how 'amazing' her best friend is, wondering why Autumn was even friends with her (as Jenni finds herself very dull), as feeling envious of Autumn's life. I know that this is not only a story on Jenni finding her way back home and realising true friendship, but of growth, self-belief, and of self- confidence, but she began to infuriate me very quickly.

Also, Kessler's writing was tiresome. She uses too many exclamation marks, and the very thought of someone being that happy-go-lucky and excited made me question the age of the protagonist. The vocabulary used, and her style of writing was maddening. Do twelve (going on thirteen) year old girls jump up and down whilst screaming their heads off? Do they find absolutely everything fabulous? If they do, or if you do, then you would enjoy this novel. Then again, it might be an emphasis on how Jenni develops and matures as a person… Still; you cannot help but feel frustrated at this over-enthusiastic, foolish young girl.

Mildly intriguing, A Summer Without Autumn is a novel that requires some patience, but one that would make a good Summer Read.

Want to tell the world about a book you've read? Join the site and send us your review!