For fans of 1980s coming-of-age stories, suburban noir, childhood mysteries, and nostalgic suspense.
What We Found Last Summer is the kind of book you'll want to finish in one sitting. Reviewers call it "compelling," "propulsive," "memorable," and "hard to put down."
When twelve-year-olds Calvin and Derek venture out to an abandoned treehouse at the edge of the woods, they stumble across something they were never meant to see.
What begins as another carefree day—when friendship still feels permanent and summer was meant for fun—quickly turns into something far more serious as the boys realize they’ve brushed up against a world of crime, danger, and secrets that don’t belong to kids.
"A hauntingly nostalgic masterpiece where childhood wonder collides with a violent adult reality..." — AuthorsReading
“Once you start reading it, there is no putting it down.”— Frank Mutuma, Readers' Favorite
"A compact, propulsive coming-of-age thriller" — Literary Titan
" If you loved the raw honesty and lingering consequences of King's The Body, you'll be swept up by De Lucia's quintessential buddy novel."— R.C. Gibson, Indies Today
Winner of Three 2026 Firebird Book Awards
Novella, Coming of Age, Best Evolution of Style
2026 PenCraft Book Awards Runner-Up Winner, Fiction-General
Available now: The Expanded Paperback Edition
Includes two additional scenes not featured in the original eBook
Contains violence and (more) adult language. Recommended for mature readers.
What We Found Last Summer is a delightful, nostalgic adventure that will have Gen X readers reminiscing about a time when childhood meant freedom, fresh air, and getting into trouble without a mobile phone in sight.
Calvin, Derek, Ryan, and Ravi are four young boys whose favorite hideaway is a treehouse in desperate need of renovation. But when they venture into the woods to liberate some building materials from an abandoned treehouse, they stumble upon something belonging to the Mob. Unfortunately, the Mob would rather like it back.
Throw in some colorful villains, a rival family down the road, and a touch of young romance, and the boys suddenly have considerably more to worry about than rotten floorboards. Not to mention a side plot where the police are trying to get a Mob member to flip on their team.
The lively pacing, believable characters, and wonderfully authentic childhood friendships make this an engaging read. The author skillfully blends Gen X nostalgia with an adventure that younger readers can equally enjoy. And just when everything seems neatly resolved, a clever twist delivers one final surprise.
The author beautifully captures the complexities of childhood friendships and family bonds, from a younger brother’s admiration for his older sibling to the jealousy of a friend feeling replaced, and the ever-present fear of one of them getting into trouble. And Lolo? Never underestimate a protective grandfather!
The heartfelt Coda, featuring a personal story about the author’s son, adds unexpected emotional depth. For Gen X readers, memories stirred by “Don’t Stop Believin’” will strike a nostalgic chord. An already entertaining story becomes something more meaningful, bringing everything wonderfully full circle.
Entertaining, amusing, and thoroughly enjoyable. Highly recommended! Rating: ★★★★★