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andshe_reads's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was a great contemporary novel about family, friendships, love, loss and grief. I adored the bond between Frankie and Anna and honestly could feel their pain through the authors writing.
The characters were relatable and showed us how heartbreak and grief is dealt with in different ways for each person. The beautiful friendship between Frankie and Anna was so endearing and I was really hoping for them both to find their peace.
Honestly it was just a great read! It gave me all the feels and will definitely renain a fave for me.
The characters were relatable and showed us how heartbreak and grief is dealt with in different ways for each person. The beautiful friendship between Frankie and Anna was so endearing and I was really hoping for them both to find their peace.
Honestly it was just a great read! It gave me all the feels and will definitely renain a fave for me.
iyaa's review against another edition
5.0
I cried so hard reading this... This book is soo beautiful and well-written, I still can't get over it until now.
thrscldrn's review against another edition
5.0
"Nothing ever really goes away --- it just changes into something else. Something beautiful."
Summer always tags along adventure, unpredictability and fun. This is a great setting for a story to unfold. Summer is something short-lived, yet completely amazing and mesmerizing just like everything in the story: Matt and Anna's love story, the A.B.S.E., Frankie and Anna's "Twenty Boy Summer" contest, Frankie and Jake, Anna and Sam.
With that being said, this story shows us the real value of every moment, every cherished memory, every secret emotion and every promise.
It made me see that letting go always made the difference. Some memories stick with us forever, some pop out because of a certain trigger that makes us remember, some we try to forget, some we try to preserve and relive. But some things are better off left like that, as memories. That way they are not changed or affected by time.
It also made me realize that trying to forget something important or something that affected or mattered to you is never really possible. You can bury it deep, but at the end of the day, you will always remember.
Summer always tags along adventure, unpredictability and fun. This is a great setting for a story to unfold. Summer is something short-lived, yet completely amazing and mesmerizing just like everything in the story: Matt and Anna's love story, the A.B.S.E., Frankie and Anna's "Twenty Boy Summer" contest, Frankie and Jake, Anna and Sam.
With that being said, this story shows us the real value of every moment, every cherished memory, every secret emotion and every promise.
It made me see that letting go always made the difference. Some memories stick with us forever, some pop out because of a certain trigger that makes us remember, some we try to forget, some we try to preserve and relive. But some things are better off left like that, as memories. That way they are not changed or affected by time.
It also made me realize that trying to forget something important or something that affected or mattered to you is never really possible. You can bury it deep, but at the end of the day, you will always remember.
brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't expect my reaction to this book. I thought it would be one of those light, fun YA books, with a little bit of emotional depth thrown in for good measure. Instead I found a beautiful novel that brought back emotions I haven't felt since I was a teenager. First love, hope, the feeling that life is going to be wonderful from now on, but also the sadness of growing up and moving on. I put the book down with teary eyes, and then found myself actually crying a little bit about ten minutes later.
I was just so touched by Anna's story. I felt her emotions leap from the page. Her descriptions of the ocean, her friendship with Frankie, her reactions to both Matt and Sam; it all felt so real and authentic. Frankie was a good counter-balance to Anna. Troubled, broken-hearted, and just wanting to be noticed and loved. The characterization was excellent!
One of my favorite lines from the book was, "Let someone else have a lucky day." It was something Matt would say to Anna when they saw a penny on the ground, and left it there for someone else to pick up. When Anna said it later in the book, it just about melted my heart.
I would definitely recommend this to fans of YA, and will probably read this again sometime in the future, when I want to remember what it feels like to be young again.
I was just so touched by Anna's story. I felt her emotions leap from the page. Her descriptions of the ocean, her friendship with Frankie, her reactions to both Matt and Sam; it all felt so real and authentic. Frankie was a good counter-balance to Anna. Troubled, broken-hearted, and just wanting to be noticed and loved. The characterization was excellent!
One of my favorite lines from the book was, "Let someone else have a lucky day." It was something Matt would say to Anna when they saw a penny on the ground, and left it there for someone else to pick up. When Anna said it later in the book, it just about melted my heart.
I would definitely recommend this to fans of YA, and will probably read this again sometime in the future, when I want to remember what it feels like to be young again.
kayteaface's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 / 5
Really disappointed that I couldn't get into this book as I loved Ockler's Bittersweet and Fixing Delilah. It did absolutely nothing for me; the characters were unlikeable and, to me, the romance felt forced and awkward. While I like other books in this genre, the plot of this book just wasn't my kind of thing.
Really disappointed that I couldn't get into this book as I loved Ockler's Bittersweet and Fixing Delilah. It did absolutely nothing for me; the characters were unlikeable and, to me, the romance felt forced and awkward. While I like other books in this genre, the plot of this book just wasn't my kind of thing.
abaugher's review against another edition
4.0
although this is kinda chic lit, it also deals with the loss of a close friend for one girl and a brother for another girl, and how they both (and their parents) deal with--or dont deal with--the grief. The wording is absolutely, beautifully sad, and the healing that takes place, especially over the course of three terrific weeks on the California coast, is amazing.
lookatjimmy's review against another edition
2.0
Maybe it’s the fact that I’m no longer a teenager but liiike... I really have no patience any more for characters doing crappy things and then just ✨letting it go✨ without any signs of genuine remorse or an apology because they were ✨going through stuff.✨ Grow up.
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
This was a wonderful, gorgeous book. However, there were one or two things that I didn't particularly like.
Let me first start with what I liked.
First up. Matt's and Anna's relationship. They were so wonderful, so perfect together, and I feel like they had a big future ahead of them. It is so sad this happened to her, that his happened to Matt. No one deserves to die like that. So young, so full of plans, ideas and hopes. A future full of things that he wanted to do. All shattered away by the weakness of the human body.
I could also understand why Matt wanted to keep things a secret. He cares deeply about his sister, knows that this relationship might break her. After all they are all friends, and now 2 of the 3 are in love with each other. Are in a relationship.
I loved the family trip. The descriptions of the beach, the town, the houses, the stores, everything. I just felt like I was there. Enjoying the sun, taking a swim.
The whole grieving/lost part was done pretty well. It was pretty believable how even after a whole year there is still so much hurt, so much pain. After all they lost something huge, something big. They lost a son, a brother, a boyfriend.
I could relate to Anna at most parts. Not always though. Sometimes I found her a bit silly, other times I wished she was just honest and that she would tell Frankie all about Matt. I wish she would be honest, as she was drowning in tears, she was lost and alone. And she pushed that all aside to be with her friend, to take care of her friend.
I think she could have lost most of the grief if she had talked to someone. Anyone, really. She should have talked, not cropped it up and written letters in her journal. She also deserves to cry, to scream, to shout, to talk. I don't think it is healthy to just hold it all back, because of a promise. Because of a hidden relationship.
I am not sure what I thought about Sam. At times, I really liked him and he was a great character. He listened to Anna when she wanted to talk. He was there for her when she needed help. I also love the ending, while it isn't clearly said what happens between her and Sam after she gets back, I still think she will contact him and that they will try to meet at least once again. They have a connection, they had a good time. And he helped her out so much with so many things.
I really disliked Frankie and I hated her when she did that to her best friend. She has no right. Sure, he was her brother, but she isn't the only fucking one grieving. Fuck you. Fuck you so much. Your brother touched many people's hearts, you can't just claim him and expect that everyone caters to your desperate wishes. Sick little bitch. And she was a big hypocrite (I won't spoil anything, but let's just say, when I heard about it, I was soooo pissed).
I am sorry, but I really think that. Sure, I could also see she was a pretty decent friend. However, real friends don't push each other to lose virginity, to build an entire mission around it. Virginity is something special. And I might be old-fashioned, but I think you should wait with losing your virginity until you find that special person. Until the circumstances are right. Not because a best friend forces you do it, and you crumble under peer pressure.
I didn't like how she was so demanding and acting like a little spoiled princess.
And again, after a certain event, my hate was tripled or even more.
And I know, I know, she was probably grieving, wanting attention from her dear mommie and daddy, but there are just other ways than destroying your body with smoking, hooking up with boys and other things. Urgh.
Again, I think it would have been better had Anna talked to someone. We might not be in this huge pile of poo if it were for that.
At times it was a bit boring, at times I was a bit annoyed, but all in all this was one pretty story. I am really happy that one of my libraries had this book in English (it is so rare to find English books). I am happy I picked it up and that I had a chance to read it.
I would recommend this book to everyone.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Let me first start with what I liked.
First up. Matt's and Anna's relationship. They were so wonderful, so perfect together, and I feel like they had a big future ahead of them. It is so sad this happened to her, that his happened to Matt. No one deserves to die like that. So young, so full of plans, ideas and hopes. A future full of things that he wanted to do. All shattered away by the weakness of the human body.
I could also understand why Matt wanted to keep things a secret. He cares deeply about his sister, knows that this relationship might break her. After all they are all friends, and now 2 of the 3 are in love with each other. Are in a relationship.
I loved the family trip. The descriptions of the beach, the town, the houses, the stores, everything. I just felt like I was there. Enjoying the sun, taking a swim.
The whole grieving/lost part was done pretty well. It was pretty believable how even after a whole year there is still so much hurt, so much pain. After all they lost something huge, something big. They lost a son, a brother, a boyfriend.
I could relate to Anna at most parts. Not always though. Sometimes I found her a bit silly, other times I wished she was just honest and that she would tell Frankie all about Matt. I wish she would be honest, as she was drowning in tears, she was lost and alone. And she pushed that all aside to be with her friend, to take care of her friend.
I think she could have lost most of the grief if she had talked to someone. Anyone, really. She should have talked, not cropped it up and written letters in her journal. She also deserves to cry, to scream, to shout, to talk. I don't think it is healthy to just hold it all back, because of a promise. Because of a hidden relationship.
I am not sure what I thought about Sam. At times, I really liked him and he was a great character. He listened to Anna when she wanted to talk. He was there for her when she needed help. I also love the ending, while it isn't clearly said what happens between her and Sam after she gets back, I still think she will contact him and that they will try to meet at least once again. They have a connection, they had a good time. And he helped her out so much with so many things.
I really disliked Frankie and I hated her when she did that to her best friend. She has no right. Sure, he was her brother, but she isn't the only fucking one grieving. Fuck you. Fuck you so much. Your brother touched many people's hearts, you can't just claim him and expect that everyone caters to your desperate wishes. Sick little bitch. And she was a big hypocrite (I won't spoil anything, but let's just say, when I heard about it, I was soooo pissed).
I am sorry, but I really think that. Sure, I could also see she was a pretty decent friend. However, real friends don't push each other to lose virginity, to build an entire mission around it. Virginity is something special. And I might be old-fashioned, but I think you should wait with losing your virginity until you find that special person. Until the circumstances are right. Not because a best friend forces you do it, and you crumble under peer pressure.
I didn't like how she was so demanding and acting like a little spoiled princess.
And again, after a certain event, my hate was tripled or even more.
And I know, I know, she was probably grieving, wanting attention from her dear mommie and daddy, but there are just other ways than destroying your body with smoking, hooking up with boys and other things. Urgh.
Again, I think it would have been better had Anna talked to someone. We might not be in this huge pile of poo if it were for that.
At times it was a bit boring, at times I was a bit annoyed, but all in all this was one pretty story. I am really happy that one of my libraries had this book in English (it is so rare to find English books). I am happy I picked it up and that I had a chance to read it.
I would recommend this book to everyone.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
sparklesonmars's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
4.0
I read this as a teen in 2009 and enjoyed it.