Coming-of-age novels have long been cherished for their ability to capture the turbulence of growing up. In 2025, when questions of identity, faith, and family are more relevant than ever, Fran Leitner’s A Twice Lived Summer feels especially timely. It is a book for anyone standing on the threshold of change, searching for courage to step into the unknown.
A Summer of Change
Martin Redmond’s summer begins in uncertainty. With his friends gone, university looming, and family tensions simmering at home, he feels unmoored. Then a summer job at a second-hand shop introduces him to Rob Bartlett, a mentor-like figure, and Aubade, the mysterious old novel that mirrors his own life.
Through these experiences, Martin begins to see that even the most ordinary days can hold extraordinary turning points.
Family as a Crucible
At the center of Martin’s struggle is his family. His mother, deeply tied to her church, embodies faith as duty, discipline, and expectation. His father, in contrast, has drifted away, leaving behind silence and unanswered questions. Stuck between them, Martin represents countless young people today who are trying to balance respect for tradition with their own hunger for freedom.
Leitner doesn’t villainize either parent. Instead, she presents a realistic portrait of love strained by ideology. This nuance makes the novel relatable for readers who have wrestled with generational or spiritual divides.
The Search for Identity
Martin’s fascination with David, an older student he notices in church, reflects a deeper journey into self-discovery. His curiosity about David parallels the experiences of many who are beginning to question who they are and who they might love. Leitner handles this theme with sensitivity, weaving it seamlessly into Martin’s broader exploration of independence.
A Novel for Today
What makes A Twice Lived Summer resonate in 2025 is its honesty at a time when young adults face uncertainty about their futures, whether because of education, family pressure, or identity- Leitner offers a story that validates confusion while encouraging growth.
The novel reminds readers that self-discovery often happens in small moments: in conversations with family, in a book that speaks to us, in the quiet realization that we want something different.
Leitner’s Impact
Fran Leitner’s writing combines warmth with thoughtfulness. She doesn’t force resolutions but instead shows the beauty of becoming. By the end of the novel, Martin has not solved every problem but he has taken steps toward owning his story. And in doing so, he reflects the resilience of an entire generation stepping into adulthood.
A Twice Lived Summer is more than just a coming-of-age tale, it is a guide for navigating faith, family, and identity in uncertain times. Fran Leitner has given us a novel that feels both personal and universal, and one that readers in 2025 truly need.