AT THE LIBRARY

Jen Cyr is the library collections co-ordinator for the Region of Waterloo Library. She recommends “One Night in Savannah” by Terah Shelton Harris.

“One Summer in Savannah” by Terah Shelton Harris, Sourcebooks, 2023, 453 p.

Debut author Terah Shelton Harris takes a sensitive look at the aftermath of a sexual assault. Eight years ago, Sara Lancaster left Savannah to start a new life. After the trial that found Daniel, a promising young man of the prominent Wyler family, guilty of rape, Sara was an outcast in her community. Sara had yet another reason to leave: she was pregnant. Leaving behind her supportive bookseller father, Sara moves north to raise her precocious daughter, Alana.

Now, when Sara’s father becomes hospitalized, she decides to return home — just until he is back on his feet. Returning to Savannah means risking that someone may see Alana and inform the Wyler family, who certainly would want custody.

Meanwhile, Jacob, a successful astrophysicist and Daniel’s twin brother, has also returned to Savannah. Since Jacob testified in support of Sara, he has been estranged from his family but finds himself drawn back to Daniel, who is still imprisoned, and his wealthy, controlling mother, Birdie.

A chance meeting between Jacob and Alana at a local science museum alarms Sara, but she resists her impulse to run. A friendship develops between Jacob and Sara even while they both individually struggle to move forward from their complicated past.

“One Summer in Savannah” is a moving exploration of forgiveness and family. Harris’ debut makes for a thought-provoking book club read.