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3.24 AVERAGE
3.24 AVERAGE
Reads almost like a character study. Clearly an early work of Dessen's, as it's a bit light on plot compared to her later works, but she had a wonderful grasp on creating characters from the beginning, and that ability shines here.
That Summer was everything you would expect from a summer read. Not too bad, but nothing great either. Typical coming of age stuff without too much fanfare. At times I thought more would come of certain characters or situations, but it never happened.
This was a great coming-of-age novel. Not what I expected, but that’s not a bad thing.
Haven is fifteen and her whole life is changing; her dad is getting remarried, her mother is still heart-broken that he left, and her sister Ashley is getting married and moving out.
With her family split into two, Haven wants to hold onto the past. When Sumner, Ashley’s ex-boyfriend, comes back to town, he reminds her of the good times before her dad left.
full review here
With her family split into two, Haven wants to hold onto the past. When Sumner, Ashley’s ex-boyfriend, comes back to town, he reminds her of the good times before her dad left.
full review here
a simple story about a girl and her crazy summer. I did enjoy it.
Since I've read some of Sarah Dessen's more recent books, I feel like That Summer was definitely a step backward, and while it certainly isn't her best work to date, I can still appreciate the book. Haven, like so many of Sarah's other characters, was someone I feel most girls can relate to. I also enjoyed that this book, while about relationships, wasn't one that really centered on a romantic relationship for Haven. I felt it was a good coming of age story and an enjoyable read.
Technically I did read this in one day. I started around noon and finished just after 2am. This book literally stared me down until I read it while playing Sims 3 😂
I really enjoyed this book. It was my first Sarah Dessen book (yes I know I'm super late to the party) and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's the perfect heartfelt contemporary read for the beginning of summer (or anytime of the year). I felt like tearing up near the end because of everything that happened.
SPOILER ALERT. DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU HAVE READ THE BOOK.
I really enjoyed Haven as the protagonist. She is your typical 15 year old girl, about to go into her sophomore year of high school with an older sister getting married just before then. I could relate to a lot of the things she thought and said.
As I said earlier, this is a great contemporary read for any season, especially summer. I almost thought Sumner was like one of those spirits that help characters through tough times...then I remembered I was reading a contemporary book. I loved how he was there anytime Haven needed anything or anyone.
Her dad got married and a couple months later Ashley got married. That's really close, so the family did have a reason to be stressed. I feel sympathy towards her mom though; Haven constantly did/said certain things so she wouldn't hurt her mom even though she didn't always succeed.
And can we talk about Lewis? He is so uptight and he needs to learn to not sweat the small stuff. What groom isn't okay with strippers at a bachelorette party? (Rhetorical question; not meant to be answered)
Lastly, can we just appreciate how Haven actually THREW A SHOE at a customer because she was disrespectful? I mean, isn't that what most people dream about doing 😂
I really enjoyed this book. It was my first Sarah Dessen book (yes I know I'm super late to the party) and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's the perfect heartfelt contemporary read for the beginning of summer (or anytime of the year). I felt like tearing up near the end because of everything that happened.
SPOILER ALERT. DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU HAVE READ THE BOOK.
I really enjoyed Haven as the protagonist. She is your typical 15 year old girl, about to go into her sophomore year of high school with an older sister getting married just before then. I could relate to a lot of the things she thought and said.
As I said earlier, this is a great contemporary read for any season, especially summer. I almost thought Sumner was like one of those spirits that help characters through tough times...then I remembered I was reading a contemporary book. I loved how he was there anytime Haven needed anything or anyone.
Her dad got married and a couple months later Ashley got married. That's really close, so the family did have a reason to be stressed. I feel sympathy towards her mom though; Haven constantly did/said certain things so she wouldn't hurt her mom even though she didn't always succeed.
And can we talk about Lewis? He is so uptight and he needs to learn to not sweat the small stuff. What groom isn't okay with strippers at a bachelorette party? (Rhetorical question; not meant to be answered)
Lastly, can we just appreciate how Haven actually THREW A SHOE at a customer because she was disrespectful? I mean, isn't that what most people dream about doing 😂
4 ⭐️
"You can't love anyone that way more than once in a lifetime. It's too hard and it hurts too much when it ends."
SUMMARY:
This summer for Haven was going to be a rough one. At 15, so much was changing. Her parents divorced recently when an affair came to light regarding her dad and his new anchor coworker. Also, her big sister & only sibling is getting married and moving out. In her personal life, she was growing to be 6 foot tall and felt left out in her friendships. She can't keep up with her life and danny figure out where she fits into it. She can't help but remember when her summers were easy with her parents together and her sister was with her ex-boyfriend, Sumner. She felt like everything was perfect then. Lights turning on after years of false hope changes these thought drastically.
THOUGHTS: (spoiler)
Sarah Dessen's first novel & the second one I've read by her. I just love her easy & carefree writing. She has a way of making mundane stories interesting and being incredibly realistic. She also tricks her readers by thinking the cliche will happen but picks the alternate ending. I LOVE IT.
I loved Haven sooooo much. I loved how she work at the mall in a place called "Little Feet" because the atmosphere gave me all the early 2000s vibes. Her character was realistic for her age & the friendship at Sumner was sweet then heartbreaking. I think it's easy to believe a false reality when we're young, and her character showed this along with incredible character growth.
Also, loved the sister relationship. Ashley & Haven love eachother so much and it is so incredibly sweet.
Summmmmmmerrrrryyyyy vibes.
"You can't love anyone that way more than once in a lifetime. It's too hard and it hurts too much when it ends."
SUMMARY:
This summer for Haven was going to be a rough one. At 15, so much was changing. Her parents divorced recently when an affair came to light regarding her dad and his new anchor coworker. Also, her big sister & only sibling is getting married and moving out. In her personal life, she was growing to be 6 foot tall and felt left out in her friendships. She can't keep up with her life and danny figure out where she fits into it. She can't help but remember when her summers were easy with her parents together and her sister was with her ex-boyfriend, Sumner. She felt like everything was perfect then. Lights turning on after years of false hope changes these thought drastically.
THOUGHTS: (spoiler)
Sarah Dessen's first novel & the second one I've read by her. I just love her easy & carefree writing. She has a way of making mundane stories interesting and being incredibly realistic. She also tricks her readers by thinking the cliche will happen but picks the alternate ending. I LOVE IT.
I loved Haven sooooo much. I loved how she work at the mall in a place called "Little Feet" because the atmosphere gave me all the early 2000s vibes. Her character was realistic for her age & the friendship at Sumner was sweet then heartbreaking. I think it's easy to believe a false reality when we're young, and her character showed this along with incredible character growth.
Also, loved the sister relationship. Ashley & Haven love eachother so much and it is so incredibly sweet.
Summmmmmmerrrrryyyyy vibes.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes