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library_of_kindredspirits's review against another edition
3.0
Melody Carlson’s “All Summer Long” is a nice slice of cheese on a summer’s day. (Although I read this in October.) It’s sweet but it’s also very, very cheesy.
As a passionate chef, Tia is excited when her aunt asks her to renovate a yacht and turn it into a dinner cruise. She is even more intrigued when she finds out she will be working with her old crush, Leo, from sailing camp. But when she discovers he is engaged, things start to get interesting.
If you’ve seen a Hallmark movie, you probably feel like you just read the Hallmark movie formula, or something similar to it. This book reads like a Hallmark movie in print. If you’re not convinced that it’s Hallmark worthy, look up ‘All Summer Long movie’ and you will discover that this book has indeed been turned into a Hallmark movie. (However, I’m not sure how similar it is to the book.) So, when I say it’s Hallmark worthy, I really mean it.
Tia as a character is sweet but a little bland. Outside of cooking and Leo, she doesn’t really have any other goals. The story itself doesn’t lend her an opportunity to grow as a character either. Everything is supremely predictable. Of course Leo is the perfect guy for her, and Leo’s fiancée isn’t the perfect girl for him, so things are obviously gonna work out alright in the end. I even caught myself guessing what was gonna happen in the next chapter, and usually I was pretty close.
The story also jump started. Tia had no time to really consider whether or not to pack up and move. Her aunt asks her to come the next day without any other forewarning, and she just gets up and leaves, excited for this new opportunity. It was very unrealistic.
I could talk forever about the abundance of clichés but I’ll keep it short, because ultimately I liked it. Some people may look at me funny when I admit this, but despite how often this type of book makes me roll my eyes or cringe, I appreciate the wholesome entertainment. It’s a bit of light reading that I like to have around every once in a while, and Melody Carlson gave me exactly that.
No, I don’t recommend it to those of you who are not fans of Hallmark movies. But if you are, or at least like light reading from time to time, then please pick up this book. I could think of a lot worse books you could be reading.
As a passionate chef, Tia is excited when her aunt asks her to renovate a yacht and turn it into a dinner cruise. She is even more intrigued when she finds out she will be working with her old crush, Leo, from sailing camp. But when she discovers he is engaged, things start to get interesting.
If you’ve seen a Hallmark movie, you probably feel like you just read the Hallmark movie formula, or something similar to it. This book reads like a Hallmark movie in print. If you’re not convinced that it’s Hallmark worthy, look up ‘All Summer Long movie’ and you will discover that this book has indeed been turned into a Hallmark movie. (However, I’m not sure how similar it is to the book.) So, when I say it’s Hallmark worthy, I really mean it.
Tia as a character is sweet but a little bland. Outside of cooking and Leo, she doesn’t really have any other goals. The story itself doesn’t lend her an opportunity to grow as a character either. Everything is supremely predictable. Of course Leo is the perfect guy for her, and Leo’s fiancée isn’t the perfect girl for him, so things are obviously gonna work out alright in the end. I even caught myself guessing what was gonna happen in the next chapter, and usually I was pretty close.
The story also jump started. Tia had no time to really consider whether or not to pack up and move. Her aunt asks her to come the next day without any other forewarning, and she just gets up and leaves, excited for this new opportunity. It was very unrealistic.
Spoiler
Also, even though Leo and Tia were friends, and Tia was constantly struggling to be around him and his fiancé, I had a hard time believing they were actually romantic. They just seemed to go from really great friends to flirting hard really quickly after Leo and his fiancée break up. Although this is supposed to be a clean book, I think there could have been some physical attraction and flirting along the way to build up the slow-burn and actually convince readers these two people want to be together.Spoiler
I could talk forever about the abundance of clichés but I’ll keep it short, because ultimately I liked it. Some people may look at me funny when I admit this, but despite how often this type of book makes me roll my eyes or cringe, I appreciate the wholesome entertainment. It’s a bit of light reading that I like to have around every once in a while, and Melody Carlson gave me exactly that.
No, I don’t recommend it to those of you who are not fans of Hallmark movies. But if you are, or at least like light reading from time to time, then please pick up this book. I could think of a lot worse books you could be reading.
farmfreshlisa's review against another edition
3.0
It was good but I didn't like the love triangle. It got annoying.
michellef's review against another edition
`All Summer Long` written by a favorite author of mine, Melody Carlson, is contemporary fiction.I knew from the cover, the title, and the author, that this would be a good book. The theme is a romantic summer in San Francisco. This is book two of a Follow Your Heart series. Book one is Once Upon a Summertime, book three is due to be published in summer 2017.
The female protagonist, Tia D'Amico is tired of making pasta day after day, she wants excitement. She wants to move to San Francisco. The D'Amico's live in Norton, Washington where they run the family Italian Restaurant. It was Tia's job to make pasta. All kinds of pasta: fettuccine, rigatoni, ravioli, and others. She went to culinary art school to do more than make pasta. Her uncle did not approve of her opinion of going to school. He says, "He could have taught her everything she knows now. There is no need to have spent her dad's hard earned money.
As a summer get-a-way Tia helped refurbish a boat. Which was quiet detailed. Tia met her high school sweetheart, Leo Parker, after several years, and they refurbished the boat together. Leo is soon to be engaged to Natalie, who I did not like. She was too uppity-up, always wanting things her way regardless of her fiancee`. Tia is my favorite, adventurous one.
This novel seemed to have a lot of rabbit trails, which sometimes made it hard to follow. I felt I was reading in circles.
I would recommend this book to YA readers.
Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any way for my honest review. I am not an Amazon Affiliate.
The female protagonist, Tia D'Amico is tired of making pasta day after day, she wants excitement. She wants to move to San Francisco. The D'Amico's live in Norton, Washington where they run the family Italian Restaurant. It was Tia's job to make pasta. All kinds of pasta: fettuccine, rigatoni, ravioli, and others. She went to culinary art school to do more than make pasta. Her uncle did not approve of her opinion of going to school. He says, "He could have taught her everything she knows now. There is no need to have spent her dad's hard earned money.
As a summer get-a-way Tia helped refurbish a boat. Which was quiet detailed. Tia met her high school sweetheart, Leo Parker, after several years, and they refurbished the boat together. Leo is soon to be engaged to Natalie, who I did not like. She was too uppity-up, always wanting things her way regardless of her fiancee`. Tia is my favorite, adventurous one.
This novel seemed to have a lot of rabbit trails, which sometimes made it hard to follow. I felt I was reading in circles.
I would recommend this book to YA readers.
Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any way for my honest review. I am not an Amazon Affiliate.
penny9910's review against another edition
4.0
I gave this book a shot when I seen it at my local library in the new books section. the cover look enticing and I'm a sucker for romance.
This book has a good plot. I can visualize the scenes in my head and I enjoyed it very much.
However, there wasn't much romance between the main girl Tia and the crush. Yes The crush is engaged but what follows after no romance at all. I didn't feel there was a love connection between the two. It was literally "we should be friends" to "I love you". The last pages I just skimmed through. You knew what was gonna happen anyways.
I guess I wanted more from it. Perhaps it should have been split into different books. It may have been more descriptive and have the time to brew the romance.
This book has a good plot. I can visualize the scenes in my head and I enjoyed it very much.
However, there wasn't much romance between the main girl Tia and the crush. Yes The crush is engaged but what follows after no romance at all. I didn't feel there was a love connection between the two. It was literally "we should be friends" to "I love you". The last pages I just skimmed through. You knew what was gonna happen anyways.
I guess I wanted more from it. Perhaps it should have been split into different books. It may have been more descriptive and have the time to brew the romance.
booksforchristiangirls's review against another edition
3.0
About this book:
“Tia Gets a Second Chance at Love When an Old Crush Suddenly Reappears
Tia D'Amico is thrilled to move to San Francisco to help her aunt transform an old luxury yacht into an upscale floating restaurant. What's not to love? Sunset dinner cruises, upscale wedding receptions--the possibilities are endless and far more appetizing than staying in a monotonous job in her Podunk hometown. Besides, some of her best memories are tied to San Francisco--especially the memory of Leo Parker, her crush from a long-ago sailing camp.
When the same Leo Parker turns out to be the yacht's captain, Tia is floating on air. But will it all come crashing down around her when she discovers his heart belongs to someone else?”
Series: Book #2 in the “Follow Your Heart” series. (Review of Book #1, Here! But can be read as standalones.)
Spiritual Content- Prayers; Church going; Mentions of prayers & blessings over food; Mentions of church; A couple mentions of those in the Bible; A couple mentions of Amazing Grace; A couple mentions of Heaven;
*Note: A mention of astrology.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: an ‘idiot’, a ‘wimp’, two ‘dumb’s and nine forms of ‘stupid’; A bit of sarcasm & eye rolling; Mentions of drinking, bars, alcohol, wine & champagne; Mentions of vomiting; Mentions of divorce & a mom leaving; A couple mentions of smoking; A mention of gambling; A mention of a young kid who was hit by a car (no details other than he’s fine);
*Note: A couple mentions of Starbucks; Mentions of brands & magazines (GQ, Ralph Lauren, & Nine West); Mentions of secular songs.
Sexual Content- three not-detailed kisses and two semi-detailed kisses; Remembering & mentions of a kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Dancing & Embraces (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing & Nearness; a ‘babe’ and five ‘baby’s; A (teasing) mention of a ball and chain (when referring to marriage); A couple mentions of kissing; A couple mentions of Tia finding a strange sense of comfort when a couple guys find her attractive; A couple mentions of a girl turning a guy’s head; A couple mentions of Tia’s mom who was involved with her boss; Mentions of marriage & engaged couples kissing and embracing; Mentions of flirting & jealousy; Mentions of dates; Love, falling in love & the emotions;
*Note: A mention of unisex clothing; A mention of a tank top & a pair of shorts.
-Tia D’Amico, age 25
P.O.V. of Tia
305 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
This was a very light romance read. I wasn’t sure how the author would wrap it up, but she did so quickly in the last 50 pages that it did feel a bit rushed. I don’t think this is her best book ever, but it was still cute and better than a Hallmark movie. ;)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2016/06/all-summer-long-by-melody-carlson.html
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Revell) for this honest review.
“Tia Gets a Second Chance at Love When an Old Crush Suddenly Reappears
Tia D'Amico is thrilled to move to San Francisco to help her aunt transform an old luxury yacht into an upscale floating restaurant. What's not to love? Sunset dinner cruises, upscale wedding receptions--the possibilities are endless and far more appetizing than staying in a monotonous job in her Podunk hometown. Besides, some of her best memories are tied to San Francisco--especially the memory of Leo Parker, her crush from a long-ago sailing camp.
When the same Leo Parker turns out to be the yacht's captain, Tia is floating on air. But will it all come crashing down around her when she discovers his heart belongs to someone else?”
Series: Book #2 in the “Follow Your Heart” series. (Review of Book #1, Here! But can be read as standalones.)
Spiritual Content- Prayers; Church going; Mentions of prayers & blessings over food; Mentions of church; A couple mentions of those in the Bible; A couple mentions of Amazing Grace; A couple mentions of Heaven;
*Note: A mention of astrology.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: an ‘idiot’, a ‘wimp’, two ‘dumb’s and nine forms of ‘stupid’; A bit of sarcasm & eye rolling; Mentions of drinking, bars, alcohol, wine & champagne; Mentions of vomiting; Mentions of divorce & a mom leaving; A couple mentions of smoking; A mention of gambling; A mention of a young kid who was hit by a car (no details other than he’s fine);
*Note: A couple mentions of Starbucks; Mentions of brands & magazines (GQ, Ralph Lauren, & Nine West); Mentions of secular songs.
Sexual Content- three not-detailed kisses and two semi-detailed kisses; Remembering & mentions of a kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Dancing & Embraces (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing & Nearness; a ‘babe’ and five ‘baby’s; A (teasing) mention of a ball and chain (when referring to marriage); A couple mentions of kissing; A couple mentions of Tia finding a strange sense of comfort when a couple guys find her attractive; A couple mentions of a girl turning a guy’s head; A couple mentions of Tia’s mom who was involved with her boss; Mentions of marriage & engaged couples kissing and embracing; Mentions of flirting & jealousy; Mentions of dates; Love, falling in love & the emotions;
*Note: A mention of unisex clothing; A mention of a tank top & a pair of shorts.
-Tia D’Amico, age 25
P.O.V. of Tia
305 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
This was a very light romance read. I wasn’t sure how the author would wrap it up, but she did so quickly in the last 50 pages that it did feel a bit rushed. I don’t think this is her best book ever, but it was still cute and better than a Hallmark movie. ;)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2016/06/all-summer-long-by-melody-carlson.html
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Revell) for this honest review.
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