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qace90's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes. This in no way influences my review; all words, thoughts, and opinions are my own.
Cool for the Summer is a book that gives me so man *feelings*! Larissa spent the summer getting to know and developing a relationship with Jasmine, but at the end of summer vacation they have to go their separate ways. On the first day of school, Chase who is the star football player and person Lara has had an epic crush on for years, flirts with her, and suddenly it seems all her high school bucket list dreams are about to come true. Except it turns out Jasmine is spending her senior year with her dad, at Lara's school. What ensues is complicated and confusing feelings, but also the power of friendship and strong familial support network.
This was a book I had trouble putting down, especially as so much of Lara's confusion and experiences ere super relatable. I can tell this is going to be a book that means a lot to teen readers questioning their sexuality and navigating new feelings and relationships.
The story is told alternating between "then" (summer vacation) and "now" (senior year). I liked how telling the story that way, rather than straight progression, really showed how Jasmine and Lara grew close while contrasting the nebulous, confusing place Lara finds herself with Jasmine in town. I really liked the way their friendship progressed, and how much it hurt to feel like that summer was being erased to fit in personal expectations and roles of being back in the "reality" of school.
I also really liked and appreciated how much Chase and the feeling Larissa has for him color her understanding of herself. She has other queer friends, but their experiences are of the "I've always know" variety, so for Lara, who's only ever really liked Chase, it must mean she's straight after all. The confusion and complicated feelings areound labeling herself were just so nuanced.
Overall, I just adored this book. The characters are complicated and the feelings are so relatable. I felt so many things reading this book, and I'm so glad it exists for messy, questioning feelings.
Cool for the Summer is a book that gives me so man *feelings*! Larissa spent the summer getting to know and developing a relationship with Jasmine, but at the end of summer vacation they have to go their separate ways. On the first day of school, Chase who is the star football player and person Lara has had an epic crush on for years, flirts with her, and suddenly it seems all her high school bucket list dreams are about to come true. Except it turns out Jasmine is spending her senior year with her dad, at Lara's school. What ensues is complicated and confusing feelings, but also the power of friendship and strong familial support network.
This was a book I had trouble putting down, especially as so much of Lara's confusion and experiences ere super relatable. I can tell this is going to be a book that means a lot to teen readers questioning their sexuality and navigating new feelings and relationships.
The story is told alternating between "then" (summer vacation) and "now" (senior year). I liked how telling the story that way, rather than straight progression, really showed how Jasmine and Lara grew close while contrasting the nebulous, confusing place Lara finds herself with Jasmine in town. I really liked the way their friendship progressed, and how much it hurt to feel like that summer was being erased to fit in personal expectations and roles of being back in the "reality" of school.
I also really liked and appreciated how much Chase and the feeling Larissa has for him color her understanding of herself. She has other queer friends, but their experiences are of the "I've always know" variety, so for Lara, who's only ever really liked Chase, it must mean she's straight after all. The confusion and complicated feelings areound labeling herself were just so nuanced.
Overall, I just adored this book. The characters are complicated and the feelings are so relatable. I felt so many things reading this book, and I'm so glad it exists for messy, questioning feelings.
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
underage alcohol consumption gaslighting mention of marijuana use (not by MC)
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