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melanie_books's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Long Island was once Sam's favorite place on earth. As a child, every waking moment of the summer was spent at her family's beach house in her swimsuit splashing in the ocean or riding her bike to get ice cream with her friends. As a teen, she spent every moment she could with Wyatt, who was her boyfriend until he wasn't. Now, Sam spends as little time there as possible, but when her family wants her to consider Long Island as a place for her wedding to fiancé Jack, she begrudgingly agrees to visit. But when she arrives, she learns that Wyatt is there for the summer, staying in his family home next door. Faced now with emotions and memories that she has done everything to keep buried for over a decade, she must decide if she should run back to Manhattan or face the boy who broke her heart when she was seventeen.
This book was a delight. Sam is an incredibly likeable character - both as a kid and as an adult - as are the secondary characters in the book. I enjoyed how the story was unfolded as well: flashbacks to Sam's childhood as grown-up Sam faces the ghosts of her past. The story is quiet and introspective but also yearning and hopeful. Sam misses her old self, even if she doesn't realize it yet. I was nervous that Wyatt would be the reason that Sam breaks up with Jack, but that wasn't the case: it was about who Sam was and who she wanted to be. Overall, a lovely story and one that makes me look forward to whatever Annabel Monaghan comes up with next!
This book was a delight. Sam is an incredibly likeable character - both as a kid and as an adult - as are the secondary characters in the book. I enjoyed how the story was unfolded as well: flashbacks to Sam's childhood as grown-up Sam faces the ghosts of her past. The story is quiet and introspective but also yearning and hopeful. Sam misses her old self, even if she doesn't realize it yet. I was nervous that Wyatt would be the reason that Sam breaks up with Jack, but that wasn't the case: it was about who Sam was and who she wanted to be. Overall, a lovely story and one that makes me look forward to whatever Annabel Monaghan comes up with next!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Sexual content
jillkaarlela's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
(4.5⭐️) Taylor Swift songs: “Hits Different”, “this love (tv)”
Age rating: 14+ (closed door, no spice)
This book was a delightful second-chance, first/childhood love, New England Beach, Summer romance! While being emotional, this book was mostly light-hearted and generally more happy tone as compared to other books in this similar style that were more heart-wrenching with an overall sad tone (I won’t name it, but you know which one I am talking about). Either of Annabel Monaghan’s books would be perfect for a quick, lighthearted beach read! I think I preferred “Nora Goes Off Script” slightly more, but this was still amazing and enjoyable.
I loved Sam’s character arc as she finds herself as compared to what mask that she puts on for the world. I think Sam is an extremely relatable character. It’s so healing to see someone take off the mask and go after what they want. I also really like Wyatt, he was super sweet and caring!
I also love that it was told in Dual POV, so we see these characters grow up and fall in love with each other juxtaposed to where they are now! This type of story definitely needed the dual POV!
Also, their reason for breaking up was one of the less frustrating reasons, and it was super real/believable! They needed their time apart to heal and process so they could find each other again!
We love an “it’s always been you” and “I’ll always come back to you” tropes!
Age rating: 14+ (closed door, no spice)
This book was a delightful second-chance, first/childhood love, New England Beach, Summer romance! While being emotional, this book was mostly light-hearted and generally more happy tone as compared to other books in this similar style that were more heart-wrenching with an overall sad tone (I won’t name it, but you know which one I am talking about). Either of Annabel Monaghan’s books would be perfect for a quick, lighthearted beach read! I think I preferred “Nora Goes Off Script” slightly more, but this was still amazing and enjoyable.
I loved Sam’s character arc as she finds herself as compared to what mask that she puts on for the world. I think Sam is an extremely relatable character. It’s so healing to see someone take off the mask and go after what they want. I also really like Wyatt, he was super sweet and caring!
I also love that it was told in Dual POV, so we see these characters grow up and fall in love with each other juxtaposed to where they are now! This type of story definitely needed the dual POV!
Also, their reason for breaking up was one of the less frustrating reasons, and it was super real/believable! They needed their time apart to heal and process so they could find each other again!
We love an “it’s always been you” and “I’ll always come back to you” tropes!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Infidelity
kdailyreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Sexual content, Addiction, and Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism, Blood, Cursing, and Drug use
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