How does the summer setting shape the story’s mood?

The summer setting in Every Summer After deeply shapes the story’s mood by evoking a sense of nostalgia, warmth, and bittersweet reflection. The recurring summers at the lakeshore—marked by hazy afternoons on the water, warm summer nights, and the rhythms of working in a family restaurant—create an atmosphere that contrasts Percy’s current city life and emotional distance. This seasonal backdrop underscores the themes of youth, lost innocence, and the passage of time, while also highlighting the intensity and tenderness of Percy and Sam’s past relationship. The summer setting amplifies both the joy of their connection and the weight of the mistakes that drove them apart, making the mood simultaneously hopeful and poignant.