Once Upon a Summer (Seasons of the Heart #1) [Mass Market Paperback]

Janette Oke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2002

Seasons of the Heart Book 1. Readers will laugh and cry as they follow the story of Josh Jones, an orphan growing up during the Great Depression. Eighteen-year-old Auntie Lou is the only mother Josh has ever known. When his grandfather and uncle start talking about finding a husband for his aunt, he knows something has to be done! As he grows to manhood through disappointment and tragedy, triumph and joy, Josh learns to trust God no matter what life brings.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

ONCE UPON A SUMMER Sure, it's unusual to have an eighteen-year-old mother when you're twelve. But when you're an orphan and she's your aunt--and the only mother you've ever known--well, it works out just fine. That's why I got so riled up when I heard Grandpa and Uncle Charlie talkin' about findin' a fella for Aunt Lou! You see, somethin' had to be done. I couldn't just sit back and watch our family get broken up. But with Grandpa and Uncle Charlie workin' so hard to marry off Aunt Lou, I really had my job cut out for me. Then that preacher came along, and things got really complicated... --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Janette Oke (pronounced "oak") pioneered inspirational fiction and is the leading author in the category today. Love Comes Softly, her first novel, has sold over one million copies. Janette is now the bestselling author of over 70 books, 32 of which have been translated into fourteen languages. Her books have sold over 22 million copies.



Janette receives fan mail from all over the world and answers each letter personally. She received the 1992 President's Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association for her significant contribution to Christian fiction, the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award and has been awarded the Gold Medallion Award for fiction.



Janette and her husband, Edward, have four grown children and enjoy their many grandchildren. They make their home in Canada.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House; Repack edition (May 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764226649
• ISBN-13: 978-0764226649
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #947,249 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Janette Oke (pronounced 'oak') pioneered inspirational fiction and is the leading author in the category today. Love Comes Softly, her first novel, has sold over one million copies. Janette is now the bestselling author of over 70 books, 32 of which have been translated into fourteen languages. Her books have sold over 22 million copies.
Janette receives fan mail from all over the world and answers each letter personally. She received the 1992 President's Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association for her significant contribution to Christian fiction, the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award and has been awarded the Gold Medallion Award for fiction. Janette and her husband, Edward, have four grown children and enjoy their many grandchildren. They make their home in Canada.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The first book in a very good series, October 20, 1999

By 

Logan Wright (Springville, UT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Once Upon a Summer (Seasons of the Heart #1) (Paperback)

This book and series shows the struggles of an unusual family structure including: a grandfather and his father, brother, daughter and grandson. The focus is on the grandson who was orphaned as an infant and has known no other family. His young aunt is the only mother that he has ever known. As the story unfolds, the young boy has to deal with jealousy towards his aunt's suitors. The whole series is quite well done.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cheerful story., July 3, 2004

By 

MAB (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Once Upon a Summer (Seasons of the Heart #1) (Paperback)

"Once upon a Summer" is a book that is not too serious and not excessively religious. In fact, I think a subtle point was that a person may attend church, but that doesn't mean they are a good person, and that people who do not attend church, may in fact be good people (although I doubt these are the points author Oke was intending to make). I enjoyed the character of Auntie Lou and her valor towards her feelings. I found Grandpa and Uncle Charlie's actions to be awful (concerning finding Lou a suitable husband, and not leaving the choice up to her), and Josh and Gramps' relationship heartwarming. If you're looking for a book to sit back and relax with, then this is the book for you. I recommend.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars cute series!, March 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Once Upon a Summer (Seasons of the Heart #1) (Paperback)

This was a cute series. These books are written from a boy's point of view and that makes them very unique. I don't know how Oke could write in a boy's point of view so well! It was as if a boy had written the book, which is probably why this series is not overly romantic, except for the last book. It had some pretty funny parts--and that helps make a book good.

I like the last one in this series the best.