In a Nutshell Reviews are my version of mini-reviews, because sometimes, you just want the highlights.
Sophie Jordan
Series: n/a
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads
Girl Code: Never date a friend’s ex.Oh! Matters of the heart can be so complicated, especially when your heart is being torn in two. Willa's two best friends had dated, unsuccessfully, and though, in her mind, she knew she shouldn't want more with Zach, her heart wouldn't listen.
Willa Evans has no intention of breaking the code. So what if she’s always secretly loved her next-door neighbor Zach? As her best friend’s boyfriend, he was always off-limits and it needs to stay that way, even though they just broke up. Even though every time she turns around he’s there, tempting her…
No keeping secrets from your bestie.
Flor Hidalgo has a lot on her plate: her breakup with Zach, her dad’s new dating life, and her struggling grades. So why can’t she stop thinking about her hot, know-it-all tutor? At least she’s got Willa, her constant in the chaos.
Breaking the code breaks friendships.
Two friends find themselves tempted by love that defies the rules in this steamy romance perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Simone Elkeles.
- Pro: This story kept me in its clutches! I had to keep reading, because I was just too invested in the outcome to stop.
- Pro: Jordan created some amazing chemistry between Flor & Grayson and Willa & Zach. There was no doubt in my mind that these two couples should happen, and I was shipping them both immediately.
- Pro: The heroes were both fabulous, but Zach really, really won my heart. The whole boy-next-door-bestie-to-more thing was totally working for me. At first, I just thought he was just a really smooth talker, but then I realized how he was simply speaking openly and honestly from his heart. I loved the way he put it all out there. There were swoons.
- Con: Although I was not disappointed in the ending, I would have liked a little more time dedicated to that resolution.
- Pro: Flor and Willa each had some family issues they were dealing with, but Flor's really broke my heart. I wanted to just go and mom hard on her, because her parents were the actual worst. The fact that I cared so much for her can be attributed to how well Jordan crafted these characters.
- Pro: It may not have been under the best circumstances, but I sort of cheered when Willa finally stopped pretending and started being honest. She never wanted to make waves or cause any drama, and by avoiding these things, she kind robbed herself of some happiness. It was nice to see her go and grab something for herself, while still considering how it affected those around her. I also liked her realizing that she wasn't inferior to Flor, that she was desirable and worthy of attention.
- Pro: Though Willa and Flor's friendship was tested by all the secrets they were keeping, I never doubted their love for one another, and I kept hoping they each could have everything they wanted without having to sacrifice each other.
** ARC received in exchange an honest review. **
Alisha Sevigny
Series: n/a
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads
Julia Ducharme is ready for a fresh start. Her little brother has finally recovered from a serious illness, and now she just wants to enjoy peak season at the campground her family owns. Maybe this will be the year her annual summer fling with Dan Schaeffer becomes something more?This was NOT the summer Julia had been anticipating. She was looking forward to working the family campground and cuddling up with her maybe-more-than-a-summer-fling, Dan. But, when Dan arrived with her new girlfriend and Julia's mom announced she might be selling the campground, Julia's summer quickly turned into a nightmare.
But her summer dreams are quickly shattered. First, Dan arrives for vacation with a new girlfriend in tow, and then Julia discovers this may be her last summer in the only home she's ever known.
Crushing medical bills have brought her single mom to the brink of bankruptcy, and a wealthy developer is sniffing around the campground. He sees what Julia sees: lush woods, a pristine lake, miles of trails for adventure. Unlike Julia, he thinks this is the perfect spot for a casino resort.
Heartbroken and afraid, Julia looks to the stars for some perspective. Taking her telescope down to the dock one night, she has a chance encounter with a guitar-playing boy who offers some helpful advice. Too bad this handsome stranger is the developer's son, Nick Constantine.
As plans for a resort move forward, Julia is desperate to find a solution that doesn't mean leaving the lake. Nick, in turn, is desperate to separate himself from his father's aggressive business tactics. He promises that, together, they can thwart the sale.
But can Julia trust him to conspire against his own father? And could she ever she trust him with her heart?
SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS is a story of lost summers, hidden treasure and love written in the stars. It is also a thoughtful reflection on what it means to love --- and leave --- one's childhood home.
- Pro: I know, I know, the description I gave above makes this book sound all doom and gloom, but it was actually quite fun, sweet, and touching. Although there are some heavy issues involved, Sevigny keeps it on the lighter side, which fit the summer setting.
- Pro: I was so pro-Nick from our first meet. He came across as kind and open, and yeah, there were swoons too. I loved the banter between him and Julia, but also appreciated the way they went a little deeper with each other.
- Pro: Julia was a fabulous and very independent female. She grew up on the campground and learned how to fix and maintain the property. As amazing as she was, she still had her share of insecurities and abandonment issues, which I liked seeing her work through over the course of the book.
- Pro: Julia had a very sweet and adorable little brother, Caleb, and an interesting and caring mom, Anna. They shared a great dynamic, and though their family suffered some setbacks, they were always there for each other.
- Pro: I am a science nerd, so I adored all the astronomy talk. And "watching" the stars from such a wonderful location made it even better. Did I mention how much I loved the camp setting?
- Pro: The ending was a wee bit rushed, but I did love the final outcome. There was enough of a resolution, and a pretty great one at that, to leave me with a smile on my face.
** ARC received in exchange an honest review. **
Have you read any of these books?
Let us know in the comments!
I think I've only read Sophie Jordan's NA series (The Ivy League?) Whilllleee back. This sounds like a wonderful book with lots of messy emotions, I completely understand wanting more from the ending.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first Jordan book. I knew of fantasy books, but those Ivy Chronicles books look right up my ally. The ending was ok, but it seemed like the beginning of the ending, because the friendship was such an important and big part of this book. I needed it to be addressed a little more.
DeleteI've not read either of these and they do sound good. Sounds like you enjoyed both of them:)
ReplyDeleteI was pleasantly surprised by both of these.
DeleteLove the sound of the Jordan book! And Zach sounds like such an incredible sweetheart. As fun as bad boys can be (in fiction) there’s nothing like a truly NICE guy. Honest and open and caring... gets me every time.
ReplyDeleteI am black sheep, but I really liked the Jordan book. Had the ending been stronger, I might have gone 5-stars on it. Zach was sort of misunderstood and misrepresented. I was glad Jordan peeled back that outside shell and let us really get to know him.
DeleteThe Me I Meant to Be sounds lovely - I love that Willa is finally able to stand up for herself and grab some happiness!
ReplyDeleteShe was a pleaser, who didn't do things that would make her happy in fear of making someone else unhappy. It was rampant in her life, and it was great to see her go for it.
DeleteThe science nerd in me loves that there's astronomy talk in Summer Constellations. Both of these books sound like wonderful reads. The characters in the first book really appeal to me, especially Zach.
ReplyDeleteLots of geek talk in that one. She even had a telescope she loved so much, she gave it a name.
DeleteThe Me I Meant to Be sounds wonderful with complex characters and romances. I like a twofer. :)
ReplyDeleteI really liked it. I love romance and friendship stories, and this one really worked for me.
DeleteWonderful reviews Sam but I confess having a crush on your first one because of the boy-next-door vibe ;-) Sophie @bewareofthereader
ReplyDeleteI was fan of both heroes, but I am a sucker for the boy next door.
DeleteI have the first one - just need time to like...read it lol Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteKaren @ For What It's Worth
I hope you like it, if you read it. I was surprised by some of the reviews, because I saw things quite differently when I read the story.
DeleteOh these two books sound really, really good! Definitely have to check them out! Thank you for sharing! :) x
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed them both!
DeleteThese both sound great, Sam! I think that I would really like the astronomy aspect of Summer Constellations. I tend to be a reader that likes endings that give me something extra as well.
ReplyDeleteI know I am needy when it comes to endings, which is why I think people familiar with my reviews will be able to evaluate its importance to them. I don't know, I always want to "see" a little further into their lives.
DeleteThe Me I Was Meant To Be sounds great. Both of them do really. I will totally put this on my TBR lists to pick up.
ReplyDeleteMary
I have no idea why people didn't like The Me I Was Meant to Be. I really enjoyed it. It was fun and emotional and messy and there's friendship. I liked it a lot.
DeleteOkay, I am glad Summer Constellations is a bit more happy than it sounds from the premise xD I am very intrigued by the first book though. I really loved the sound of the situation and their friendship kind of being so clear and the love between them being so obvious to the reader. The situation certainly sounds sticky. It sounds like the endings in both come a bit fast but for the rest, they sound so good!
ReplyDeleteConstellations was actually a lot of fun, which surprised me in the best way. I am all about fun books. Meant to Be had some drama, but also a lot of fun, friendship, and character growth.
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