Lost in the Summer of ’69 - a heartwarming, nostalgic trip back in time.

In the summer of 1969, Eleanor Bell Strickland was about to turn 69. She had just received the devastating news that she was in the early stages of dementia. This diagnosis, the recent loss of her husband, and her upcoming birthday, prompted her to reflect on her younger days when everything seemed possible. She had been a musician who was going to set the world on fire. But she never did. And it was time to recapture that feeling again while she still could. Eleanor packed her guitar and her dog and set off to California without telling anyone. Her daughter Leanne and granddaughter Nora quickly figured out that Eleanor went on a road trip, and they headed out to find her. The first stop was California, where the Newport Pop Festival was about to take place. 

Lost in the Summer of ’69 by Eliza Knight turned out to be much more than I expected. This multi-generational story was engaging, adventurous, and quite touching. Eleanor captures the hearts of everyone she performs for and hopes that her prim and proper daughter, Leanne, doesn't find her and drag her home. But Leanne soon realizes that she is on her own journey and experiences some much-needed self-discovery. And Nora, who is about to start her first year at Yale, begins to question the path she is on. The book is set during a tumultuous and eventful era, and the music festivals they attend provide the perfect backdrop. The author did a terrific job capturing the spirit of the time. So, put on some Santana, Led Zeppelin, or Jimi Hendrix and immerse yourself in this book. It's an enjoyable, heartwarming ride. 

Many thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for the advance.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Historical Fiction.

Publication Date: June 9, 2026.

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