SAN FRANCISCO, CA — San Francisco-based author and third-generation Catskills native Bart A. Charlow announces the April 21, 2026, release of his debut novel, That Catskill Summer. The first installment in the Lived-In Love^TM series, the book offers a meticulously researched, literary look at romance in the iconic Borscht Belt resort era through a refreshing and deeply authentic male lens. 

Set primarily in the pivotal summer of 1967, That Catskill Summer captures the Sullivan County resort world at a cultural crossroads. While the era is often remembered through a lens of nostalgia, comedy or kitsch, Charlow utilizes his over 50 years of experience as a therapist to provide a sophisticated exploration of romance. The narrative follows a male protagonist navigating the emotional complexities of adult relationships and shifting social norms during the peak of the Catskills’ golden age, and again as an older more mature man.

“In historical romance, we rarely get to sit with the unfiltered internal life of the man—his vulnerabilities, his quiet observations, and his capacity for deep, 'lived-in' love,” says Charlow. “By unlocking the male heart of 1967, I wanted to tell a story that feels as real as the mountains themselves, moving beyond the stoic tropes of the mid-century to find the sincere human connection underneath.”

A third-generation “hotel brat” born into the family resort life, Charlow brings a historian’s precision and a professional artist’s eye to the setting. Having previously authored non-fiction works such as A Catskill Carnival and Pickle Barrel Tales, he ensures every detail of the 1960s landscape – the “summer of love” - is historically authentic, serving as a rich backdrop for a character-driven story of psychological depth. Charlow’s background as a professional painter and photographer is evident in the novel’s vivid world-building. 

The "Refreshing" Difference:

• An Authentic Male Lens: A rare, sincere heterosexual male POV that prioritizes emotional realism over genre tropes.
• The 1967 Setting: A vivid recreation of the Borscht Belt’s final peak year, grounded in the author’s archival research and personal heritage.
• A Therapist’s Insight: Characters crafted with the wisdom of a 50-year career in psychology, focusing on the nuances of mature, enduring relationships.
• Dual-Region Roots: Written by a long-time Bay Area resident with deep, lifelong ties to the Catskills.

That Catskill Summer will be available in print and digital formats on April 21, 2026.

About the Author: Bart A. Charlow is an author, visual artist, and storyteller. With over 50 years of professional experience as a CEO and therapist, he brings a unique cross-disciplinary approach to his writing. A dedicated chronicler with deep personal and professional roots in the Borscht Belt era of the Catskills, he has dedicated his career to exploring human psychology and preserving regional heritage through multiple artistic mediums. Charlow leverages his extensive therapeutic background to infuse his characters with profound emotional depth and historical authenticity. For more information, visit Bartcharlow.com.

PRESS KIT for That Catskill Summer, by Bart A. Charlow