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steph01924's review
2.0
2.5 stars. I've seen many a mixed review on this book, but the setting kept piquing my interest, so I figured I'd give it a shot for myself.
I didn't love it and I didn't royally hate it. It got worse as it went along, probably because I got to know Reagan more and more.
Reagan is The Worst. Another reviewer mentioned how much she hated the book because Reagan was a big slut-shamer. While I obviously don't like that either, I figured that's just a big hot button for her and I wouldn't really care.
But, GEEZ is it super apparent in this book. Unless the girls were Dee's aunt Peach or Dee's tween fanbase, literally every other female Reagan encountered was sized up and instantly dismissed as a fake, pathetic, straight-haired groupie with her breasts hanging out. We'd then be treated to Reagan priding herself on being better than them. The author focused SO MUCH on this!
At first, I was inclined to give Reagan some slack. She meets many of these girls in a concert setting where the cute boy she's crushing on, Matt Finch, is performing. We know there ARE a lot of girls who lose their minds and self-respect when they're faced with Famous. These are girls who Reagan sees as competition for Matt's attention. I think it's natural to feel jealous and view 'the competition' through slightly green-colored glasses. But it just kept GOING. AND GOING. And it was SO catty.
Reagan was always quick to mention that she wasn't jealous, no, she was just being honest. I could've handled her attitude if there was some resolution; someone pointed out what a shit she was being, she felt appropriately guilty and realized not everyone wearing a low-cut shirt is a jezebel. Hell, even if she came to the realization on her own. There was one small scene where Matt says something to her that she kind of reflects on, but any introspection is pushed aside once Corrine appears.
So I couldn't handle her, and that has nothing to do with the rest of her 'bitch with a heart of gold' prickly personality. She was a crap person before AND after she 'reformed'. She doesn't deserve Matt.
I was also done with the book once the incident with Corrine went down. It was lazy and predictable and coupled with my dislike of Reagan, I couldn't care anymore and I skimmed the rest of the book.
I didn't love it and I didn't royally hate it. It got worse as it went along, probably because I got to know Reagan more and more.
Reagan is The Worst. Another reviewer mentioned how much she hated the book because Reagan was a big slut-shamer. While I obviously don't like that either, I figured that's just a big hot button for her and I wouldn't really care.
But, GEEZ is it super apparent in this book. Unless the girls were Dee's aunt Peach or Dee's tween fanbase, literally every other female Reagan encountered was sized up and instantly dismissed as a fake, pathetic, straight-haired groupie with her breasts hanging out. We'd then be treated to Reagan priding herself on being better than them. The author focused SO MUCH on this!
At first, I was inclined to give Reagan some slack. She meets many of these girls in a concert setting where the cute boy she's crushing on, Matt Finch, is performing. We know there ARE a lot of girls who lose their minds and self-respect when they're faced with Famous. These are girls who Reagan sees as competition for Matt's attention. I think it's natural to feel jealous and view 'the competition' through slightly green-colored glasses. But it just kept GOING. AND GOING. And it was SO catty.
Reagan was always quick to mention that she wasn't jealous, no, she was just being honest. I could've handled her attitude if there was some resolution; someone pointed out what a shit she was being, she felt appropriately guilty and realized not everyone wearing a low-cut shirt is a jezebel. Hell, even if she came to the realization on her own. There was one small scene where Matt says something to her that she kind of reflects on, but any introspection is pushed aside once Corrine appears.
So I couldn't handle her, and that has nothing to do with the rest of her 'bitch with a heart of gold' prickly personality. She was a crap person before AND after she 'reformed'. She doesn't deserve Matt.
I was also done with the book once the incident with Corrine went down. It was lazy and predictable and coupled with my dislike of Reagan, I couldn't care anymore and I skimmed the rest of the book.
ashpanda88's review against another edition
5.0
A story about friendship, healing and romance. I couldn't get it out of my mind even when I put it down.
sarapoole's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was a light, quick read that focused on friendship and young love, and on the importance on forgiving oneself. The main character has made questionable decisions and is punishing herself for them, but then realizes that she is bigger than her mistakes, and that the people she has in her life, and her support system is all that matters. Definitely a feel good read!
caitlinxreads's review against another edition
5.0
This was so cute and perfect. It had an adorable love interest, a southern theme, it had country music, cute things that Matt did, it was just so perfect.
I wish the ending had some more, it kinda leaves you hanging a little, but this way I can imagine what I want to happen.
I wish the ending had some more, it kinda leaves you hanging a little, but this way I can imagine what I want to happen.
khochenberger's review
5.0
Every single book of emery lord is just incredible from the moment I begin I can’t put it down. The way she write this story and her others puts you right there in all the Action. Every emotion they feel you feel. This book touched home for me and I loved every second of it
1madchild's review against another edition
3.0
actually some really great lyrics in this.
decent character development aswell.
decent character development aswell.
rybread13's review
5.0
I read Open Road Summer so quickly and I could not stop thinking about the characters in this book! I've read 2 Emery Lord books prior to this one and enjoyed both of those. I was excited and apprehensive to pick up her debut novel but I'm so glad that I did. This is a strong debut book! Although I haven't read her books in publication order, I can see that she's made progress as a writer!
The characters were to die for! When I wasn't reading, I was thinking about them and what was going on in the book at the time. Each character is uniquely crafted to show different and important points of view. Matt was my favorite character but it was awesome to see the story from an unsuspected main character. I loved that the story was written from Reagan's POV, the singer and songwriter's best friend. It's a unique take on the life of someone you never hear a lot from in the real world.
This story is mainly character driven, which is my favorite kind of contemporary plot. Especially when the characters are so raw and well written. There were a couple of scares for me when everything was perfect and I still had 200 pages left. A lot of the plot I could tell you without even reading 50 pages of the book but I think it's one of those things that makes some of these stories so much fun. I'm in it for the ride and the entertainment. I definitely got both of those things with this novel.
While of course, the story was a bit predictable at times, I loved reading Open Road Summer! Emery Lord is a great author that I've had the luck to meet. I'm so excited to see what else comes from her! This is the perfect summer and beach read!!
The characters were to die for! When I wasn't reading, I was thinking about them and what was going on in the book at the time. Each character is uniquely crafted to show different and important points of view. Matt was my favorite character but it was awesome to see the story from an unsuspected main character. I loved that the story was written from Reagan's POV, the singer and songwriter's best friend. It's a unique take on the life of someone you never hear a lot from in the real world.
This story is mainly character driven, which is my favorite kind of contemporary plot. Especially when the characters are so raw and well written. There were a couple of scares for me when everything was perfect and I still had 200 pages left. A lot of the plot I could tell you without even reading 50 pages of the book but I think it's one of those things that makes some of these stories so much fun. I'm in it for the ride and the entertainment. I definitely got both of those things with this novel.
While of course, the story was a bit predictable at times, I loved reading Open Road Summer! Emery Lord is a great author that I've had the luck to meet. I'm so excited to see what else comes from her! This is the perfect summer and beach read!!
sienna727's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25