Reviews

I chose this book because I heard that the author lives in my neighborhood. I had no expectations. And I really liked it! It's a light and deep read, simultaneously. I loved how Juilet is able to overcome her fears and face the issues in her family all with the help of a good friend.

staciabell's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Just finished this beautiful book by Paul Mosier and all I can say is PERFECTLY LOVELY! All of his books explore grief and loss in such a gentle yet authentic way and I always come away feeling like I really know the characters. I had several hand over heart moments which is always a sign for me that a book has really moved me. Two thumbs up!!

jtt's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This was such a cute and amazing book! Definitely recommend!

thundersnow11's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful medium-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

4.0

bookpotato's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

seaweedbrain13's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

ness's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

Juillet is afraid of a lot of things. Summer is a bright surfer girl with a secret. They come together to have an incredible summer filled with self-discovery.

I wanted to like this book, but the premise was ableist from start to finish. Juillet's anxiety is played for laughs. Her mom minimizes her fears. Her psychologists apparently minimize her fear. And all it takes to get rid of them is a few weeks with a pretty girl. Anyone with anxiety (and, specifically, anxiety born of trauma) knows that's not how it works. Summer's big secret is that her older brother, Hank, is

Spoiler

in a vegetative state after an accident. The author turns Hank into an object instead of a person. Even the big ~~inspirational~~ moment of Summer and Juillet taking Hank to see the ocean one last time is gross. How people treat Hank is shorthand for whether or not they're good people. And, of course, Hank is killed off at the end of the book. Killing a disabled person is a persistent trope in media, and while it's not surprising to see it in this book, it is incredibly disappointing.

The book is also peppered with ableist slurs and euphemisms. "Crazy," "blind," "stupid" and more all show up multiple times.

Overall, this book is a miss for me. It's disappointing in 2020 to see such an ableist book on shelves.

More...