Official Book Synopsis
Tilla has spent her entire life trying to make her father love her. But every six months, he leaves their family and returns to his true home: the island of Jamaica. When Tilla’s mother tells her she’ll be spending the summer on the island, Tilla dreads the idea of seeing him again, but longs to discover what life in Jamaica has always held for him. In an unexpected turn of events, Tilla is forced to face the storm that unravels in her own life as she learns about the dark secrets that lie beyond the veil of paradise–all in the midst of an impending hurricane.
My Review
Have you ever read a book that felt like it was plucked straight from your own memories? That’s how I felt reading Hurricane Summer by Asha Bromfield. It’s a coming-of-age story that explores identity, family, and belonging through the lens of a young girl’s summer in Jamaica.
The story follows Tilla and her younger sister as they leave Toronto for a summer in Jamaica. But this isn’t just a carefree vacation. Beneath the vibrant island setting, there’s a storm brewing—both literally and figuratively. Tilla’s complex relationship with her father is at the heart of this book, and Bromfield doesn’t shy away from tackling deep and sometimes uncomfortable themes like gender dynamics and shadeism.
The story reminded me of How to Say Babylon, especially in the way it explores a father-daughter dynamic within a cultural framework. Both books delve into the complexities of a Rastafarian father, how the community perceives him, and how his children see them and navigate their lives within that lens. But while How to Say Babylon is a memoir, Hurricane Summer gives us a fictionalized yet equally raw and relatable glimpse into this experience.
One of the most striking things about Hurricane Summer is how it captures the experience of being part of the diaspora. As someone who’s had the “foreign cousin visiting” experience—and also been the one excitedly welcoming that cousin—I could really see both sides. Bromfield captures both so well—showing how the “foreign cousin” is both adored and sometimes envied along with subtle undercurrents of competition or resentment.
And the audiobook? It’s narrated by Asha Bromfield herself, which added a whole other layer of intimacy to the story. I love when authors narrate their own books—it feels like they’re sharing a piece of themselves with you. Bromfield’s background as an actress really shines here. Her performance was heartfelt and her accent brought Tilla’s voice to life in a way that felt deeply personal and authentic.
Final Thoughts
Hurricane Summer is a beautifully written story that dives into universal themes of family, belonging, identity and finding strength in the face of challenges.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re living between two worlds—this book will probably resonate with you. It’s also a great pick for anyone curious about what it’s like to “go home” to a place that’s both familiar and foreign at the same time.
About the Author
Asha Ashanti Bromfield is an actress, singer, writer, and producer of Afro-Jamaican descent. She is known for her role as Melody Jones, drummer of “Josie and the Pussycats” in CW’s Riverdale. She stars as Zadie Wells in Netflix’s hit show, Locke and Key. She is the author of HURRICANE SUMMER and SONGS OF IRIE.
