PRAISE
“A moving portrayal of a young woman’s battle to claim her life on her own terms, set against the stark backdrop of the Vietnam War, Kissing the Sky is a triumphant coming-of-age novel that, like a favorite song, will linger in readers’ minds long after the final page. Lisa Patton deftly paints a picture of Woodstock so immersive and so vivid, I found myself swaying to the music―and gasping at an emotional twist I never saw coming. A bold, beautiful testament to the power of community, the transformative nature of true love, and the absolute necessity of following your heart, Kissing the Sky is the must-read novel we all need right now. Five golden, glittering (or, better yet, tie-dyed!) stars!”
Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of Beach House Rules
“Music-soaked and soul-stirring, Lisa Patton’s Kissing the Sky sweeps us into the summer of ’69, where the electrifying chaos of Woodstock collides with the quiet rebellion of a Southern girl finding her voice. With pitch-perfect nostalgia, unforgettable characters, and a soundtrack that sings on every page, Patton captures the thunder of first love, the ache of loss, and the transcendent power of music to transform us. Kissing the Sky is both a trip back in time and a timeless tale of becoming. Lisa Patton created a chart-topping song of a novel, a hit record you’ll want to play on repeat long after the last page.”
Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea
“Kissing the Sky is a story of Woodstock and war, of agency and astonishment. And in it, Lisa Patton is at her absolute best: funny, perceptive, romantic, and soul-stirring. For three music-soaked days we follow Suzannah―a young woman on the cusp of freedom―through a muddy field in upstate New York as she discovers the joys of first love and the strength of her own voice. An iconic novel set in the heart of an iconic weekend!”
Ariel Lawhon, New York Times bestselling author of The Frozen River
“Lisa Patton always manages to present her most developed characters, as they emerge from complex social surroundings in the most enlightening ways. In this delightful tale, taking place in the ’60s, when everything from religion to war was subject to scrutiny, we’re reminded by our heroine, Suzannah, that social norms are just as often as not something we need to outwit and overcome on our lifelong journey of finding our better nature.”
Michael McDonald, five-time Grammy award winner and New York Times bestselling author of What a Fool Believes
“Lisa Patton is a master storyteller, creating worlds for women, where they find their voices and learn to sing out loud. Kissing the Sky is her most emotional novel yet. It’s the late 1960s and Suzannah wants to take control of her life. Rebellion means Woodstock, the music festival where anything goes and everything does. As Suzannah finds her place in the world on her own terms, owning her mistakes and reaching for her dreams, you will root for her every step of the way. A triumph!”
Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author of The View from Lake Como
