Second Chance Summer - Morgan Matson

Taylor Edwards has made leaving things behind into an art form. When things get tough, she gets going. Then her dad gets some terrible news and the whole family decides to spend summer at their old lake house, where Taylor is forced to confront her past. She hasn't been to the lake for years and isn't keen to go back, but then she starts to reconnect with the people she thought she'd left behind - including Henry, her first crush, who's even cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve . . .

With fireworks, fireflies and midnight swims, the summer feels full of possibility and, for the first time, Taylor wants to hold on to the moment but is one summer really enough to have a second chance - with family, friends and love? 

Having read 'Amy and Roger's Epic Detour' and extremely enjoying it, I was excited when seeing that Morgan Matson had another book out, and the blurb had me quite interested - possibly because it seemed like a proper summer read.

The book starts with Taylor already running away, her immediate reaction to anything bad. But she is handed he second chance to go to the summer house for family bonding. Her family never really got on before and with devastating news that has hit the family they're all unsure what to do with themselves, since it maybe Taylor's second chance, but it's her dads last summer.

Almost immediately Taylor runs into Henry, a part of her past she ran from  and tried to forget. But desperate attempts to please her family, since Taylor feels like the lesser talented member, means Taylor is meeting Henry more often - by accident. These attempts also lead to her facing her fears, and problems with ex-best friend Lucy. I think Henry is a fantastic character who is perfect for Taylor in her times of need and he is prepared to be there for her. But I do think that this relationship could of been developed deeper and I felt slightly let down. I also think Taylor's slow regaining of Lucy's trust is good, but I think could also of been developed more deeply.

I love the setting of the story, and the characters in it. I understand Taylor's predicaments and reluctance to be at the lake house, the reasons for this come clear through flash backs of months/years before. I like Taylor's whole family, I find her brother Warren amusing and think his 'happy ending' with Wendy is well deserved.

Even though it had been made clear at the start of the book Taylor's dad's fate, for some reason I wasn't expecting it and possibly like some of the characters in the book had been expecting a miracle treatment. Pressure is put on the whole family and they are put through tests, which bring them stronger together.  Each character - especially Taylor - develops throughout the book, and discovers more about themselves, and more about each other.

This book to me was very similar to books written by Sarah Dessen and would be good for fans of her books. Taylor's second chance was perfect and her ability to help others was nice. To be completely honest I don't think this book is as good as 'Amy and Roger's Epic Detour' which somehow felt more real. Nevertheless this book is worth a read for fans of contemporary/romance books.

3.5 stars out of 5

I Can't Wait To Read These Books!

Adorkable - Sarra Manning

A Girl Named Digit - Annabel Monaghan

My Life Next Door - Huntley Fitzpatrick

Rapture - Lauren Kate
                                         

Finding Cassie Crazy - Jaclyn Moriarty

The Year ten notice board at Ashbury High is full of crazy messages. One of them is Mr Botherit’s ‘Joy of the Envelope’ Pen-Pal Project. Best friends Cassie, Em and Lydia are forced to write letters to unknown boys at downtown Brookfield High – where the kids are all psychopaths, drug-dealers, tattooed bunny-killers, etc.

Naturally, this leads to all-out war between the schools, plus secret meetings and surprising snogging.

Having had the book in my possession for some time and not managing to read it, I was reluctant to start. I especially didn’t know what to expect since the book is written entirely in: letters, notes, emails and short diary entries.  However I was pleasantly surprised and have now started reading ‘Feeling Sorry for Celia’ a book that is in the same series.

Cassie, Em and Lydia are all best friends and attend the ‘posh’ school for rich kids, and aren’t happy to have write letters to the ‘rough’ kids at Brookfield. However the schools bad reputation deceives some of the students who attend there (Seb and Charlie) and is a lesson about don’t judge others before you understand who they truly are.

Lydia and Seb’s relationship is charming and slightly comedic, whilst Charlie and Em’s relationship is comedic and fascinating, as it is clear they are attracted to one another but neither wants to admit it. I love how their relationships develop and how they aren’t afraid to be themselves; with Lydia’s secret missions and Em’s growing trust with Charlie.

However Cassie’s relationship with Matthew (Paul) is based around Cassie’s stubbornness not to be scared, which does eventually lead to everyone thinking she is going crazy. Matthew is a character clearly used to getting his own way, and shows how easy it is to be cruel when you are anonymous. But it also shows how easy it is to be someone who you’re not, and the reality of bullies with easy targets.

Cassie having friends around her who are also slightly ‘crazy’ helps her to push past her problems and get her revenge. I like that the story isn’t just based on Cassie, and it shows how different relationships can develop in different ways, it adds a fresh twist to the story. Overall this book was a refreshing change from the usual storys, and unexpected events kept the book going.

3.5 stars out of 5

When It Happens - Susane Colasanti

A boy, a girl, and the possibility of something real…

Seniors in high school, Sara and Tobey couldn’t be more different. She wants to get into her first-choice college; he wants to win Battle of the Bands. Sara’s other goal is to find true love, so when popular Dave asks her out, she’s thrilled. But Tobey always creeps into her thoughts. Lucky for Sara, one of Tobey’s goals is also to make her fall in love with him. Told in alternating points of view, Sara and Tobey’s real connection will have everyone rooting for them from the minute they meet!

Never having read a Susane Colasanti book before I was sceptical about this book; however with an interesting blurb; and a cover that drew my eyes in, I was eager to read this book. And this book was a good read.

This book was a ‘classic’ romance story with two strong protagonists, that have different views on life. Sara is goal oriented and as her relationship with Tobey develops, she learns about life. Tobey is a slacker and has no intentions of college and only cares about his band, but with his willingness to change for Sara (and with problems for the band) he learns about parts of life he previously ignored.

However the book isn’t centred on the two main characters, this book also divulges into friendships, and what it means to be popular or have friends. Sara’s and Tobey’s friends help to develop their personalities more, adding realism to the story.

I personally preferred the point of view of Sara – probably because being a girl I can relate to her more easily. Tobey though did have an interesting point of view but somehow felt forced to be more ‘manly’ at times.

This is a fabulous romance story, and had the usual obstacles to overcome in search for something real and love. Tobey was a perfect partner for Sara, and was adorable – so Sara’s reasons to be with him were obvious. I couldn’t put the book down and would recommend to others; this also won’t be the last Susane Colasanti book I will read.

4 stars out of 5