A mother-daughter road trip story filled with music, reinvention, family secrets, unforgettable summers, and the kind of nostalgia that lingers long after the last page, LOST IN THE SUMMER OF ’69 is the perfect companion for beach days, porch swings, and late-night reading sessions with a classic rock playlist humming in the background. Every great road trip needs a soundtrack, and this story is no exception. From the rebellious spirit of Jimi Hendrix to the raw emotion of Janis Joplin and the wistful nostalgia of Bryan Adams, these songs capture the heart of the novel and the women at the center of its journey.
“Purple Haze” - Jimi Hendrix
From the opening pages, “Purple Haze” sets the tone for the journey ahead. With its electrifying guitar riffs and psychedelic energy, the song captures the spirit of 1969, a summer defined by music, rebellion, and possibility. It serves as an invitation into the story, signaling that this is more than a road trip; it’s a rock-and-roll adventure filled with unexpected detours, self-discovery, and life-changing moments.
“Foxey Lady” - Jimi Hendrix
Eleanor is bold, magnetic, and impossible to overlook. Beneath her polished exterior is a woman reclaiming the fire she thought age and responsibility had taken from her. “Foxey Lady” carries the confidence, rebellion, and rock-and-roll energy that mirrors her late-life reinvention during the unforgettable summer of 1969.
“Piece of My Heart” - Janis Joplin
Leanne is the emotional center of the story - a woman quietly carrying the weight of expectations, marriage, motherhood, and change. “Piece of My Heart” reflects her vulnerability and strength at the same time. She loves deeply, sacrifices often, and slowly begins to realize she deserves more than simply surviving her life.
“Summer of ’69” - Bryan Adams
Nora is standing on the edge of adulthood, chasing freedom, music, first love, and the version of herself she wants to become. “Summer of ’69” perfectly captures that bittersweet feeling of youth, possibility, rebellion, and the kind of summer that changes you forever.
“Break On Through (To the Other Side)” - The Doors
At its heart, LOST IN THE SUMMER OF ’69 is a story about transformation. Each woman begins the journey carrying her own fears, regrets, and unanswered questions, but the road challenges them to see themselves—and one another—in a new light. “Break On Through (To the Other Side)” reflects the novel’s themes of revelation, personal growth, and the courage it takes to step beyond the limits we place on ourselves and embrace what comes next.
Three generations of women, an unforgettable summer of music, and the epic cross-country road trip they'll never forget.
Summer, 1969. Eleanor Bell doesn't have anything to lose. According to her doctors, she might not remember how to sing or play guitar soon, so why not head west now? Why not join the music festivals sweeping the country and lose herself in the music again in a swan song of her own?
Except Eleanor forgets, maybe on purpose, to tell anyone where she's going. When her daughter, Leanne, discovers her mother missing, she enlists the help of her own daughter, Nora, to help her find Eleanor. The last thing Nora wants to do before starting as one of Yale's first female undergrads is hit the road. But then Nora hears her grandmother on the radio - singing. Nora and Leanne hop in their Lincoln Continental for a cross-country road trip, always one step behind Eleanor, who has been dubbed the Dame of Rock n' Roll by none other than Johnny Carson.
Full of nostalgia and awash with the warmth of summer, Lost in the Summer of '69 is an epic celebration of savoring the encore-no matter what the next act may bring.
Women's Fiction [ Sourcebooks Landmark, On Sale: June 9, 2026, Trade Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781464255113 / eISBN: 9781464255120 ]
Eliza Knight is an award-winning, USA Today and international bestselling author of dozens of novels. Her latest novel is Lost in the Summer of ‘69. A lifelong history obsessive, Eliza’s love affair with the past began as a young girl when she traipsed the halls of Versailles. She is the creator of the popular historical blog, History Undressed, and host on the History, Books and Wine podcast. Her books have been translated into multiple languages, and most recently, her co-authored title A Day of Fire has been optioned for television. Knight holds an MFA in creative writing from Drexel University and is a creative writing instructor. She lives in the sunshine state with her husband, three daughters, a dog, a crab and a turtle.
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