[3] Throughout each of her pieces of literature, author and feminist Mariko Tamaki finds equity and representation important for her works as seen in Skim and (You) Set Me on Fire.

[1] Rose becomes more and more troubled as the summer wears on and yells at Alice one night, blaming her for constantly refusing to go to the beach and arguments with her husband, Evan (which led to him leaving for the city for several days).

The novel concludes when she and Windy's mother recount the main cause of Alice's marital and emotional troubles (and her refusal to go to the beach): her miscarriage in a lake last summer in Awago.

"[3] When asked about her choice of color, Jillian thought on a superficial level it looked cool but also seemed neutral while providing an emotional feeling in a different sensory reaction.

[1] Furthermore, Meryl Jaffe noted the illustrations of summer night skies and moonlight make breathtaking scenes while contrasted with less detailed characters.

[9] Corine Doiron, another scholar and reviewer, has stated this novel should be for high school audiences because they will identify with Rose and Windy while experiencing nostalgia when reading of their attempts to grow up.

"[6] The Horn Book Magazine stated that Jillian Tamaki's "rigorously composed, kinetic drawings teem with psychological nuance and action.

[12] Susan Burkman, an interviewer from the New York Times, stated the novel was a “moving, evocative book” and “if I worked at a bookstore, I’d be hand-selling it to customers.

"[3] Reviewer Abigail Packard greatly enjoyed the novel and firmly stated, “This One Summer is a feat of graphic storytelling,” and praised cousins Mariko and Jillian Tamaki in creating a phenomenal story.

After the incident in Florida in February, Mariko Tamaki said that the book is “listed as being for readers ranging 12–18,” and “contains depictions of young people talking about, and dealing with, adult things."

[1] In response to the criticism, author Mariko Tamaki stated, ‘“[T]here are people who are uncomfortable with any discussion of sexuality, who see this as inappropriate, maybe, for any age of young reader,” she said.