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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Yet another awesome summer read from Katie West. She never fails to write a fun summer book to enjoy. This one was especially great because it went into some deeper issues I was not expecting. As someone who has read almost all of her books, I can honestly say this one is the best one to date.
Avery and her family are spending the summer at a camping area for families. She is happy to get away because of her best friend having kissed Avery’s boyfriend. She needs time to sort out her feelings and a place with no wifi and cell service means she can have all the time she wants. She has not told her family what is going on, but this is the last trip before she goes to college and things change.
Her younger sister Lauren has a YouTube channel and wants to work on a documentary about the camp. Avery is often conflicted about her feelings about Lauren because her sister knows she wants to do and pursues her channel while Avery does not know what she wants to do. When Avery meets Brooks, he is part of a band working at the camp. But the workers are not supposed to get close to the campers. Of course, they spend time together as friends, but it blossoms into more.
What I loved about this book is the summer vibes, the family togetherness, the vibes of the camp, and Avery finding her place in singing and writing songs Watching her grow and change in the course of the story was amazing to see. I also liked how it dealt with more serious topics like how teens do not always know what they want to do and need time to explore, how family relationships are complex, and just even how friendships grow and change as well.
Kasie West is a must read for me during the summer, but she is great to read all year long. She writes relatable characters and sweet love stories too. I highly suggest her for those looking for some lighthearted realistic fiction.
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the digital review copy, shared with me for reviewing purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Avery and her family are spending the summer at a camping area for families. She is happy to get away because of her best friend having kissed Avery’s boyfriend. She needs time to sort out her feelings and a place with no wifi and cell service means she can have all the time she wants. She has not told her family what is going on, but this is the last trip before she goes to college and things change.
Her younger sister Lauren has a YouTube channel and wants to work on a documentary about the camp. Avery is often conflicted about her feelings about Lauren because her sister knows she wants to do and pursues her channel while Avery does not know what she wants to do. When Avery meets Brooks, he is part of a band working at the camp. But the workers are not supposed to get close to the campers. Of course, they spend time together as friends, but it blossoms into more.
What I loved about this book is the summer vibes, the family togetherness, the vibes of the camp, and Avery finding her place in singing and writing songs Watching her grow and change in the course of the story was amazing to see. I also liked how it dealt with more serious topics like how teens do not always know what they want to do and need time to explore, how family relationships are complex, and just even how friendships grow and change as well.
Kasie West is a must read for me during the summer, but she is great to read all year long. She writes relatable characters and sweet love stories too. I highly suggest her for those looking for some lighthearted realistic fiction.
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the digital review copy, shared with me for reviewing purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a good vacation read. It was cutesy, easily read, nothing to think too much about. I liked it, but I found out that I don't particularly enjoy the camping aspect, nor the music aspect, which was a large part (duh) of the book. However, I looked past that and still enjoyed it. I just found out that I'll avoid those subjects in the future.
Totally sugary sweet summer vibes which is the total opposite of what the weathers like where I am in Australia right now.
The ending felt a little rushed but I throughly enjoyed it.
The ending felt a little rushed but I throughly enjoyed it.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After a mishap with some coffee in the lobby of the camping grounds they'll be spending their summer at, Avery runs into the camp's dinner-time band and hits it off with one of its members. But Brooks mistakes her for an employee initially, and Avery has to find a way into his good graces after her unintentional deception. They strike a deal: Avery will help Brooks write some lyrics for his band so they can enter a music competition, and Brooks will help Avery try new things so that Avery can discover herself this summer. But when the lead singer of the band gets injured in an accident, Avery finds herself facing a dilemma. Can she conquer her fear and help Brooks win the contest?
If you like Dirty Dancing, you'll probably like this book. The setup is very similar, except that Brooks is maybe a bit less surly overall than Johnny Castle, and it's less steamy.
The parts I liked less mostly had to do with Avery's tendency to avoid conflict, when I was hoping she would stand up for herself. She doesn't get much of a chance to; even though she claims at one point that she's not giving away bits of herself to keep the peace, that is exactly what she does. At the beginning of the book, she is fighting with her best friend, Shay, because Shay kissed Avery's ex-boyfriend not too long after their breakup, at a time when Avery was still convinced they would get back together. Later on, Avery thinks about a few other incidents with Shay, and from those memories I would call this a very toxic friendship. But Avery doesn't see it that way. Even during the big obstacle, which was a great opportunity for Avery to show that she really has grown, it is her sister who takes the step and saves the day initially. Avery does take a stand later on and gets what she wished for, but that moment didn't feel like much of a victory to me.
Overall, as with most of Kasie West's book, this was a cute YA contemporary. Not my favourite by her, but a good time nonetheless.
If you like Dirty Dancing, you'll probably like this book. The setup is very similar, except that Brooks is maybe a bit less surly overall than Johnny Castle, and it's less steamy.
The parts I liked less mostly had to do with Avery's tendency to avoid conflict, when I was hoping she would stand up for herself. She doesn't get much of a chance to; even though she claims at one point that she's not giving away bits of herself to keep the peace, that is exactly what she does. At the beginning of the book, she is fighting with her best friend, Shay, because Shay kissed Avery's ex-boyfriend not too long after their breakup, at a time when Avery was still convinced they would get back together. Later on, Avery thinks about a few other incidents with Shay, and from those memories I would call this a very toxic friendship. But Avery doesn't see it that way. Even during the big obstacle, which was a great opportunity for Avery to show that she really has grown, it is her sister who takes the step and saves the day initially. Avery does take a stand later on and gets what she wished for, but that moment didn't feel like much of a victory to me.
Overall, as with most of Kasie West's book, this was a cute YA contemporary. Not my favourite by her, but a good time nonetheless.
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sunkissed by Kasie West is cute and just a fun and easy read. It's about a family who leaves for the summer on a vacation to a camping resort. Of course you will have fun, boys and drama. A-
That was amazing. I love Avery and Brooks, as well as the side characters.
Lauren was such an awesome sister, even if they don't see eye-to-eye all the time, she's always there when Avery needs her and vice versa. Maricela is a person who might be outgoing but is a really good friend to have. Shay was also good. Even if she made a mistake, she did all she can do to ask for forgiveness. Because at the end of the day, she didn't technically steal Avery's boyfriend. They have broken up already when they kissed, so that's that. The bandmates were great too. Kai is just too OA but he is someone you need in a band. Levi and Ian are just amazing too. The way that they are so accepting and understanding is all you need in a band. Plus Brooks needs those kind of people in his life, especially with what he is going through with his father.
I also love the fact that despite this book set in camp and they are with their parents, their parents still played a huge part in the books. They are there when things just needs to be aligned.
Lauren was such an awesome sister, even if they don't see eye-to-eye all the time, she's always there when Avery needs her and vice versa. Maricela is a person who might be outgoing but is a really good friend to have. Shay was also good. Even if she made a mistake, she did all she can do to ask for forgiveness. Because at the end of the day, she didn't technically steal Avery's boyfriend. They have broken up already when they kissed, so that's that. The bandmates were great too. Kai is just too OA but he is someone you need in a band. Levi and Ian are just amazing too. The way that they are so accepting and understanding is all you need in a band. Plus Brooks needs those kind of people in his life, especially with what he is going through with his father.
I also love the fact that despite this book set in camp and they are with their parents, their parents still played a huge part in the books. They are there when things just needs to be aligned.