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drakoulis's review
3.0
This book suffers from an underwhelming ending.
I really enjoyed the whole concept. The bookstore, the falling-for-your-best-friend tope, the geekiness, Wes' friend group, the mother/famous-author.
And the buildup was great.
The effort to save the bookstore was from an 80s movie - in a very good sense of the way.
But then, when I reached the point where everything had to fall in place....it just didn't.
We didn't get a single romantic scene between Wes and Nico, they were all extremely awkward from the moment they got together.
A lot of weird talking, no atmosphere, no swetness, no magic, no anything + the author preaching about "when the time is ready for the step forward" which I found really annoying.
The bookstore plot ended in a sad way, the bookstore just shuts down.
Not only that, but the owner dies and we talk about it even in the epilogue, no make it even sadder and grimmer.
Nico doesn't change his mind and keeps following a future away to chase the memory of his dead father instead of his own dreams. And just does long-distance with Wes and even this is not described in an optimistic way.
For me the author either downright refused to write a good ending for his own reasons or couldn't.
It's a pity because it was a great story that didn't get the closure it deserved...
I really enjoyed the whole concept. The bookstore, the falling-for-your-best-friend tope, the geekiness, Wes' friend group, the mother/famous-author.
And the buildup was great.
Spoiler
Everyone could see that Wes was hard-crushing on Nico except Wes himself and it was sweet and hilarious.The effort to save the bookstore was from an 80s movie - in a very good sense of the way.
But then, when I reached the point where everything had to fall in place....it just didn't.
We didn't get a single romantic scene between Wes and Nico, they were all extremely awkward from the moment they got together.
A lot of weird talking, no atmosphere, no swetness, no magic, no anything + the author preaching about "when the time is ready for the step forward" which I found really annoying.
The bookstore plot ended in a sad way, the bookstore just shuts down.
Not only that, but the owner dies and we talk about it even in the epilogue, no make it even sadder and grimmer.
Nico doesn't change his mind and keeps following a future away to chase the memory of his dead father instead of his own dreams. And just does long-distance with Wes and even this is not described in an optimistic way.
For me the author either downright refused to write a good ending for his own reasons or couldn't.
It's a pity because it was a great story that didn't get the closure it deserved...
pointeshoebookworm's review
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Alcohol and Sexual content
stopthesun's review
3.0
It's the last summer before he starts college, and nothing is really going the way Wes was hoping it would. He has no idea what he wants to study, he still hasn't confessed to his best friend, and his favorite place in the world is maybe-probably closing down.
-- Although technically I might categorize [b:The Summer of Everything|50156232|The Summer of Everything|Julian Winters|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1579364383l/50156232._SX50_.jpg|73232849] as a romance, it's more about the idea in this quote. It's more about coming to terms with the fact that you don't need to have a whole life plan by the time you graduate high school (and that even adults don't really ever know what they're doing either).
Warnings for
Things I Liked
Characters: There were a lot of characters, but I feel like [a:Julian Winters|17571829|Julian Winters|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1519597598p2/17571829.jpg] introduced them strategically enough that I didn't feel overwhelmed by the number of them.
All the characters felt unique and dimensional, and the development of the relationships to each other, and Wes felt organic.
Representation: There was endless representation, but it never felt forced or token. Not only was Wes crushing hard on his best friend Nico, but there were other queer relationships. Also, most of the main cast was described as, or specifically stated to be, POC.
Things I (Mostly) Didn't Like
Miscomuication?: I've said before that miscommunication doesn't actually bother me because that's just how real life works out sometimes. Still, I want to note it here for people who DO hate miscommunication.
Ella: Ella is one of Wes's best friends, but she's kind of a huge jerk. I liked her in her first chapter, and then it all went downhill. And then she got a little better, but I still don't know how I feel about her overall, really.
References: I just don't like references that date a book. They're distracting and pull me out of the story. It's the major reason I have no plans to read [b:Ready Player One|9969571|Ready Player One (Ready Player One, #1)|Ernest Cline|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1500930947l/9969571._SY75_.jpg|14863741]. In the beginning, it almost felt like the author made up a list of "cool references for teens" and then tried to hit every single one as quickly as possible. Honestly, without the references, I might have rated this book four stars. I just really hate them.
I'm adult enough for expectations, but not adult enough to know what I want.
-- Although technically I might categorize [b:The Summer of Everything|50156232|The Summer of Everything|Julian Winters|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1579364383l/50156232._SX50_.jpg|73232849] as a romance, it's more about the idea in this quote. It's more about coming to terms with the fact that you don't need to have a whole life plan by the time you graduate high school (and that even adults don't really ever know what they're doing either).
Warnings for
Spoiler
Death of a Character, Loss of a Parent, Body Shaming, Anxiety, Panic Attacks. Mentions of Bullying, Homophobia, Racism, Cancer.Things I Liked
Characters: There were a lot of characters, but I feel like [a:Julian Winters|17571829|Julian Winters|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1519597598p2/17571829.jpg] introduced them strategically enough that I didn't feel overwhelmed by the number of them.
All the characters felt unique and dimensional, and the development of the relationships to each other, and Wes felt organic.
Representation: There was endless representation, but it never felt forced or token. Not only was Wes crushing hard on his best friend Nico, but there were other queer relationships.
Spoiler
There are also characters revealed to be AroAce and Trans/Non-Binary.Things I (Mostly) Didn't Like
Miscomuication?: I've said before that miscommunication doesn't actually bother me because that's just how real life works out sometimes. Still, I want to note it here for people who DO hate miscommunication.
Spoiler
Wes is hardcore pining for Nico and Nico is hardcore pining back. And it's really obvious, but no one seems to realize Nico likes Wes back? I'm warning you now: be ready to do the "will they, won't they" dance for pretty much the entire book.Ella: Ella is one of Wes's best friends, but she's kind of a huge jerk. I liked her in her first chapter, and then it all went downhill. And then she got a little better, but I still don't know how I feel about her overall, really.
References: I just don't like references that date a book. They're distracting and pull me out of the story. It's the major reason I have no plans to read [b:Ready Player One|9969571|Ready Player One (Ready Player One, #1)|Ernest Cline|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1500930947l/9969571._SY75_.jpg|14863741]. In the beginning, it almost felt like the author made up a list of "cool references for teens" and then tried to hit every single one as quickly as possible. Honestly, without the references, I might have rated this book four stars. I just really hate them.
hardlyworking's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
heroicviewer's review
2.0
I am disappointed. I think this book starts of fine with and interesting premise about this diverse group of teens trying to save this boom store but there is no momentum and it quickly divulged into slice of life with some emotional moments and speaking frankly id call this book quite fucking boring actually. By the end the plots barely flow together I feel nothing for any of the half baked resolutions and honestly wish we got chapters told outside of out main character's perspective because he becomes just boring as everything else.
ceralin03's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
megelizabeth's review
emotional
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
This ended up being just okay for me. There were some elements I liked - the centrality of books and bookshops to the story, many of the side characters, and the coming-of-age vibes and the conversations around growing up and making big decisions. I also liked the romance for the most part, although there were elements to it that didn't quite seem authentic to me. I wasn't a big fan of the writing and ultimately, although I appreciated some of the themes in theory, I don't think they were executed as well as they could have been and I just found it all a bit pretentious and irritating. Maybe some of that is just that it's YA and I'm not really the target audience any more, but then I do still appreciate and get a lot out of a fair amount of YA still and for me this one just didn't really seem to hit the mark. I still enjoyed it well enough to give it a 3*, but it definitely isn't one I'd return to or go out of my way to recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Cancer
Minor: Racism and Acephobia/Arophobia
amberdlewis's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book really wanted to be first person POV but couldn't commit. At least that's how it felt. My brain kept trying to make it first person because that was the vibe of the book, and some parts were basically n first person because of all the lists the MC kept making. Honestly, it was distracting 75% of the time. But beyond that, I enjoyed the book! I loved the characters and the plot and other aspects of the writing style. It's definitely worth the read!
achilleanshelves's review
4.0
The Summer of Everything is a wonderful YA contemporary about a Queer teen dealing with the stress of growing up as everyone around him does it faster than he is; dealing with a crush on his best friend; and dealing with the fact that his second home and workplace, the book-store ‘Once Upon a Pages’ is closing. It’s packed with feelings and geekiness and so much book love!
Wes is our protagonist, he’s awkward and dorky and means the absolute best for everyone in his life, even if he can’t express it the way he’d like to. He’s an extremely well-written teen character who is relatable with his nervous habits and constant anxiety. His love for geeky culture, particularly Green Lantern, the bookstore he works at and his friends were all amazingly portrayed and made him easy to root for as a lead.
The extended cast of characters are some of my favourites of any book, even beating out the AMAZING football found family team in Winters’ first book Running with Lions. The found family formed at Mrs. Rossi’s bookstore is absolutely outstanding. Seeing these wonderful characters interact was such a joy. Ella is so spunky and uses the word ‘fat’ on-page to describe herself in an empowering way which was incredible (and very rare) to see; Cooper was so excitable and an AroAce icon; Lucas and their love of comics was amazing, the fact they also have a scene where they are palpably excited about getting a binder was amazing to see represented; and many other characters such as Zay, Anna and Leann were all so unique, interesting and funny.
Then, of course, there’s Wes’ love interest, Nico who is a Mexican boy who doesn’t label his sexuality (he says he feels bi/pan) and lives life freely. He’s a skater who loves books and his family. You can totally see why Wes would fall for this best friend in question and their dynamic because of their lengthy friendship is so amazing to read. They clearly have history which is discussed and explored and informs their actions in the story, for better and worse.
The subplot about Leo, Wes’ brother, and Leanne’s wedding felt ultimately pointless and like a subplot one too many to me, crowding this book already full of moving parts, however, the exploration of family and pressures of growing up were so well explored and navigated throughout the entire story that it did give the novel a solid through-line.
I’d highly recommend The Summer of Everything if you’re looking for a feel-good read this summer about messy teenage feelings, books, geekdom, queer boys and found family or any story that will make you believe in the immense power of friendship and self-belief to bring about palpable change.
Content warnings for this book include Cancer / Terminal Illness (discussed, toward end), drug-use (not POV) & panic attacks (POV, on-page)
Wes is our protagonist, he’s awkward and dorky and means the absolute best for everyone in his life, even if he can’t express it the way he’d like to. He’s an extremely well-written teen character who is relatable with his nervous habits and constant anxiety. His love for geeky culture, particularly Green Lantern, the bookstore he works at and his friends were all amazingly portrayed and made him easy to root for as a lead.
The extended cast of characters are some of my favourites of any book, even beating out the AMAZING football found family team in Winters’ first book Running with Lions. The found family formed at Mrs. Rossi’s bookstore is absolutely outstanding. Seeing these wonderful characters interact was such a joy. Ella is so spunky and uses the word ‘fat’ on-page to describe herself in an empowering way which was incredible (and very rare) to see; Cooper was so excitable and an AroAce icon; Lucas and their love of comics was amazing, the fact they also have a scene where they are palpably excited about getting a binder was amazing to see represented; and many other characters such as Zay, Anna and Leann were all so unique, interesting and funny.
Then, of course, there’s Wes’ love interest, Nico who is a Mexican boy who doesn’t label his sexuality (he says he feels bi/pan) and lives life freely. He’s a skater who loves books and his family. You can totally see why Wes would fall for this best friend in question and their dynamic because of their lengthy friendship is so amazing to read. They clearly have history which is discussed and explored and informs their actions in the story, for better and worse.
The subplot about Leo, Wes’ brother, and Leanne’s wedding felt ultimately pointless and like a subplot one too many to me, crowding this book already full of moving parts, however, the exploration of family and pressures of growing up were so well explored and navigated throughout the entire story that it did give the novel a solid through-line.
I’d highly recommend The Summer of Everything if you’re looking for a feel-good read this summer about messy teenage feelings, books, geekdom, queer boys and found family or any story that will make you believe in the immense power of friendship and self-belief to bring about palpable change.
Content warnings for this book include Cancer / Terminal Illness (discussed, toward end), drug-use (not POV) & panic attacks (POV, on-page)
gc_epub's review against another edition
The monologues and dialogue was a bit cringe for me, but I can see why some people enjoyed this story