Spotlight: That Catskill Summer (Lived-In Love #1) by Bart A. Charlow
- Archaeolibrarian
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
Book details:
Book Title: That Catskill Summer
Series: Lived-In Love TM
Author Name: Bart A. Charlow
Publication Date: April 21, 2026
Publisher: Self-published
Pages: 318
Genre: Historical Romance, Literary Romance
Any Triggers: Consensual adult heterosexual sex, not pornographic, not “kinky”
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He wrote the book he lived. Now she wants to rewrite the ending.
For fans of the 1960s Catskills era of Dirty Dancing, this is a very different kind of love story.
Author Aaron Ben-Ami’s steamy novel, based on a failed youthful love affair in the "Summer of Love" Borscht Belt, is a sensation. Love was easy to come by in the resort culture of the early sexual revolution, but not so easy to keep. Now, as his story is being made into a movie starring Isobel “Izzy” Sandler, the past and present are about to collide.
Ironically, it was a chance meeting with Izzy that inspired Aaron to write the book in the first place—she was his muse. But as they grow close during filming, Izzy discovers the raw truth behind the fiction. She is the granddaughter of Elyse, the real woman who modeled for the novel’s lead—and Aaron's greatest "what if".
Set against the richly textured backdrop of a disappearing American era, That Catskill Summer is a story of what we miss in the moment and what stays with us long after. It is a journey through the humor, the heat, and the heartbreak of youth, told through the reflective eyes of someone who survived it.
Perfect for readers of emotionally rich, time-layered fiction who value reflection over resolution – and those who believe that a single summer can define a lifetime.
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Bart A. Charlow is an author, consultant, and retired therapist whose writing explores the intricate intersections of memory, legacy, and the human heart. With over 45 years as a visual artist and photographer, Bart brings a painterly eye to his prose, capturing the atmospheric beauty and lingering shadows of the people and places that shape us.
Born into the carnival life of a Borscht Belt Catskills hotel family, he has never let the ordinary constrain him.
His first book, A Catskill Carnival: My Borscht Belt Life Lived, Lost and Loved, is a memoir of his early years in a unique setting, coming to terms with it and cherishing its life lessons. Pickle Barrel Tales: More Borscht Belt BS is the companion book of over 50 wry vignettes from several “mountain rats”.
A true son of the Catskills, Bart’s deep connection to the "Borscht Belt" Dirty Dancing era serves as the foundation for his storytelling. His novels delve into the complex emotional landscapes of mature characters, often focusing on the ways the past refuses to stay buried and how new love must contend with old ghosts. His latest series is “Lived-In LoveTM”, dedicated to telling realistic relationship stories with deep emotional connections, not the usual tropes.
Whether through a camera lens, a paintbrush, or the written word, Bart is dedicated to capturing the "circus of memories" that defines the mature experience.
He writes a regular column, “Bart on Art”, for The San Mateo Daily Journal.
Bart has been a favored speaker on TV, radio and in print media for decades and is recognized for his service in the United States Congressional Record.
Among honors he holds is the Jefferson Award for his community leadership and service.
He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, grown children and grandchildren.
Author Links:
Website: www.bartcharlow.com/writing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bartcharlowauthor/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/BART-CHARLOW/author/B0CMZJVBDR
Tour hosted by: The Coffee Pot Book Club
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