Reviews

Summer Fun by Jeanne Thornton

knittyreader's review against another edition

3.0

This sounded like such an amazing book! And it is, in a way. It sheds some light on things I - and many with me - have not experienced, and on many things I - and many others with me - have experienced (the being obsessed with a band comes so close!). It gets deep into relationships between people, and Gala's relationship with herself.

The format was not for me, probably because as I said being obsessed with a band comes so close, and I clearly have some unfinished business with my own insecurities feeling a kind of secondhand uncomfortableness from Gala writing those letters. That is totally on me, but also made that I could enjoy this book less.

I want to thank Netgalley and Soho Press for the chance to read 'Summer Fun'.

meowzersnap's review against another edition

I found the sections related to “B” very boring, even though I found Gala’s story to be the most interesting parts. However, her story would only take up half of the book length, maybe less.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Emotional abuse, Transphobia, and Physical abuse

cassie_grace's review against another edition

5.0

As good as books get. As true as it’s possible to be.

“You are breathing like a girl. You have always breathed like a girl.”

kayslater's review against another edition

5.0

truly one of the best novels i've ever read. astoundingly woven, Thornton's writing is infused with visual and tactile magic

lizzydown's review against another edition

3.0

don’t want to give spoilers but i really enjoyed one story line and found the other one q unengaging. feels harsh to give 3 stars considering the story line i did enjoy was excellent but didn’t feel like i could give 4 stars considering

myareads41's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

hit way too close to home. damn. need to read again in the summer

esutcliffe's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

cuckmulligan's review against another edition

4.0

The present-day storyline isn't as strong as the 60s one. Still, it made me cry. Some of the most beautiful descriptions of music I've ever read are in this book

maren_notkaren's review

Ran out of time on my library hold

emloueez's review against another edition

Honestly, I might not even rate this, because there were some highs and lows. I'm a huge Beach Boys/Brian Wilson fan so there was a lot of fan service in this that kept me entertained. The novel is split between Gala's story and the letters that she writes to B—, the Get Happies lead singer. I think the parts about the Get Happies felt a lot more fleshed out than Gala's story — I feel like she sort of gets lost in the mix. I also feel like the novel is too long. I LOVE "Pet Sounds" and "Smile" lore, but those parts really started to drag out.

But still, it's pretty ambitious for a debut, and it's clear that Thornton really put a lot of work into it. I'd be interested to read her next book.

Amazing that this is the 4th book I've read this year that has referenced Connie Converse. I have no idea what is going on with that.