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A review by hayjp8
The Summer of Everything by Julian Winters
4.0
4.5/5 stars
This was an amazing coming of age book. As someone who’s going to university this year, I really related to Wes with the uncertainty of the future and being an adult. But I feel like this book settled some of my nerves and answered my questions. I also really enjoyed all the references that frequent YA book readers would notice and all the book communities throughout the novel. Cooper’s online book group and the independent bookstore both felt so familiar and warm.
Wes was a really likeable character and his relationships with all his friends and family (especially Nico) were so nice. This book had its surprisingly funny moments that were balanced out by really sweet and sometimes sad moments. I was amazed at how interesting all the side characters were—I genuinely liked every single one of them. The little group of friends and all their relationships between each other felt so real. And bonus points for an almost all queer friend group! I also really liked the conversations about being POC and how despite being biracial and light skinned, Zay still counted Wes in their conversations. “Wes appreciates that just because he’s often seen as passing, Zay makes it a point to include him in discussions of race and privilege. He doesn’t lay any guilt on Wes because there are some prejudices they won’t share. They’re still united.” I highly recommend The Summer of Everything!! I need to go read Julian Winter's other book now :)
This was an amazing coming of age book. As someone who’s going to university this year, I really related to Wes with the uncertainty of the future and being an adult. But I feel like this book settled some of my nerves and answered my questions. I also really enjoyed all the references that frequent YA book readers would notice and all the book communities throughout the novel. Cooper’s online book group and the independent bookstore both felt so familiar and warm.
Wes was a really likeable character and his relationships with all his friends and family (especially Nico) were so nice. This book had its surprisingly funny moments that were balanced out by really sweet and sometimes sad moments. I was amazed at how interesting all the side characters were—I genuinely liked every single one of them. The little group of friends and all their relationships between each other felt so real. And bonus points for an almost all queer friend group! I also really liked the conversations about being POC and how despite being biracial and light skinned, Zay still counted Wes in their conversations. “Wes appreciates that just because he’s often seen as passing, Zay makes it a point to include him in discussions of race and privilege. He doesn’t lay any guilt on Wes because there are some prejudices they won’t share. They’re still united.” I highly recommend The Summer of Everything!! I need to go read Julian Winter's other book now :)