Summertime Book Review: Unexpected Everything

Andi knew what she wanted from life and a plan to get it. So imagine her surprise when her world comes crashing down after her father's political career takes a hit.

The scandal changes her summer plans in an instant. Now without her internship, Andi's floundering. She's stuck at home with no plans and no ways to create a better summer.

At first, she's at her wits end, but then she agrees to take a dog walking job. Just like that everything changes.

She meets Clark - a boy who challenges her on every level. Her relationship with him gets off to a rocky start but then rebounds.

Could this spontaneous summer be the best thing that ever happened to her?

My Thoughts: I LOVED this book, not surprising because I love her author books. I enjoyed the father - daughter banter, the political side to the book, Andi's friendships, her letting go of her plans and letting loose, and of course Clark. Clark reminded me of the Christoper Paolini publishing story crossed with a little Game of Thrones - which was awesome. And that sweet dog. Bertie was charming. I love how Clark and Andi didn't know much about each other and their first date was priceless. I liked learning more about Andi's mother. I loved how this summer taught her to have deeper relationships. I didn't want this book to end!

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for all teen collections.

SummerTime Book Review: Chasing Perfect

Books perfect for the beach or to read by the pool

Last year I read the Christmas book Christmas on 4th Street and I wanted to read the series from the beginning. So I started them over the summer.

Charity Jones just accepted a new position of City Planner in Fool's Gold, moving to take the job after a bad break-up. She's surprised to learn that the town has a serious lack of eligible single men and that one of her jobs will be to attract new businesses to the area.

In the first meeting to secure a new project for the town, her meeting is hijacked by the town's Golden Boy. It seems everywhere she turns, someone's mentioning Josh Golden. He may be a former cycling champion who still has big dreams and an even bigger secret, but finding a man isn't on Charity's to-do list. Sometimes, life doesn't work out the way we want...

My Thoughts:  A great introduction to this quaint small town, I loved meeting characters along with Charity and learning the town secrets. I liked the girls night and how quickly gossip spreads. I liked learning more about Josh and his past - especially his racing past. A fun romance that's perfect for summer reading and the start of a charming series that I can't wait to keep reading.

Cover Thoughts: Cute - I like the blend of colors
Source: My Library

SummerTime Review: Nantucket Blue

Books perfect for the beach or to read by the pool

Cricket and Jules are almost like sisters - they spend so much time together. Cricket's beyond excited when she's invited to spend the summer with Jules and her family in Nantucket.

Then suddenly, Jules's mother dies, devastating both girls. Cricket tries to be there for her BFF, but Jules pushes her away. She also rescinds the summer invitation, saying it's a time for just family.

Cricket decides to take on a baby-sitting job on the island, just in case Jules needs her. Once she arrives, she discovers that the job is no longer available. She lands on her feet with the cleaning job at a nearby hotel.

Jules had no interest in her, but Cricket remains. Soon she's getting into a routine and enjoying herself despite the broken friendship.  Instead, she begins to fall for a guy - one who's off limits to her - a guy that if Jules knew about, would cause further damage to her friendship. Does it matter what your BFF thinks if you're not friends anymore?

My Thoughts: The perfect summer book that features friendship drama and romance. I love how most of the book focused on the friendship between the two girls - how they were there for each other - what went wrong- and if their friendship can be fixed. The friendship was full of misunderstanding and betrayals and broken hearts. I really enjoyed the quirky secondary characters that Cricket meets at the hotel. I liked the romance and how it changed things. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel featuring the following summer.

Cover Thoughts: I like it, but I wish it had been two girls instead of a romance cover
Source: My Library

SummerTime Adult Review: Suddenly Last Summer

Books perfect for the beach or to read by the pool

Elise loves her job and her life in Vermont, especially after Jackson saved her. She would do anything for the Snow Crystal resort - but staying away from Sean O'Neil might not be an option.

Sean O'Neil loves being a doctor. He's happy in Boston saving lives, but he's worried about his grandfather. Ever since his father died - the two of them haven't seen eye to eye. He's been avoiding his family and home. When his grandfather's health takes a turn for the worse, Sean finds himself returning home more and more - and it's not all bad.

My Thoughts: I adored the first book in the series, Sleigh Bells in the Snow and waited for this one ever since. I love hearing Elise talk about food and create food - even though it made my stomach growl. I love how she uses food to bring people closer together.  I love the family togetherness of the O'Neils - the banter, the loyalty, the friendship, and the drama. Snow Crystal resort seems liked the perfect place to spend a vacation - in any of the four seasons. As a Vermont girl, it made me long for home and the green mountains or to disappear down a dirt road for a while.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

SummerTime Review: Open Road Summer

Books perfect for the beach or to read by the pool

  Reagan's made some bad choices recently, but she's excited to go on tour with her BFF Dee. Dee, known to the world as Lilah Montgomery, is the hottest country star around. Dee's nursing a broken heart of her own.


When a scandalous looking picture emerges of Dee and her ex-boyfriend, Dee's torn up. Reagan does her best to help her friend, but it's almost impossible to cheer her up. The record label decides to add a wholesome opening act in hope of sparking romance rumors in the tabloids.


Dee and Matt are interested in each other - they're almost like brother and sister. The more time Reagan spends with Matt, the stronger her feelings for him grow. Could this be the start of something?

My Thoughts: OMG - I loved this book, a perfect debut novel. I'm a fan of country music - I like how many of the songs tell a story, so I enjoyed the moments where Dee and Matt wrote together and reading the lyrics.  I love the friendship between Dee and Reagan - the love, the laughter, and the loyalty. I love how the walls come down and they make each other stronger. While I would never want to be famous, I liked how you saw an inside look at fame and how it takes control over your life. I loved the "in the moment" scene and the banter between Reagan and Matt. The book looks up to all the buzz, it's beautiful and fantastic. Go Read it if you haven't!

Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Source: Sent for review (Thanks Anna!)

SummerTime Review: Wish You Were Italian

Books perfect for the beach or to read by the pool

Pippa's annoyed with her family shipping her off to Italy for the summer - for an art history program. She's not even interested in art history. Her father feel guilty and slips her some extra cash, which she finds when she lands.

When she finds the money, Pippa decides to be a little reckless and stay in Rome for a few nights. Then, after meeting a girl in the bakery and a boy at a gelato stand, she decides to ditch the program all together.

The girl from the bakery takes her home to meet her family. The family invites her in, gives her a place to stay and offers to show her the sights.  When her new friend Chiara travels to her aunt's house, Pippa goes along too.

Pippa's happy to be seeing more of the countryside - and to meet some hot guys, especially Chiara's cousin. Before she left home, Pippa and her BFF made of list of things she wants to do while in Italy. And falling for for a hot Italian guy is on the list. Pippa knows it's just a matter of time before her family uncovers the truth, but until then, she's determined to have the time of her life.

My Thoughts: I loved this book - for the travel descriptions: the sights and the food. I loved the romance - even though there was a love triangle, I really liked the final result. I loved how Pippa met Chiara and how they fell into an easy friendship. I confess I would have liked going to the art history program (but that's just me.) I loved seeing all the art and architecture there and long to go back and explore more. I also really enjoyed the connection Pippa had with her grandmother: sweet, honest, and refreshing. A great summer book if you're longing for a vacation, but can't get away. You don't have to leave home to be transported to Italy.

Cover Thoughts: Love it
Fun Fact: I traveled to Italy several years ago, so I could easily place myself in Pippa's shoes. Here are a few photos from my trip.

Summertime Book Review: Since You've Been Gone

Books perfect for the beach or to read by the pool

Emily and her BFF Sloan have always been inseparable. Now Sloan's vanished into thin air just before summer. Emily and Sloan had all these plans, but Emily's left to navigate summer on her own. Then she finds a letter from Sloan - with a list of things to accomplish over the summer.

It's not the first list Sloan's made for her, but immediately Emily decides to cross all the items off the list. She's hug a Jamie, deal with her fear of horses, and maybe break out of her shell.

At first the list seems to be a like a job, but soon in becomes fun. Summer starts sliding by and the list is almost complete. 

My Thoughts: Everyone raved about this book - and they were right. If you haven't read it yet - get yourself to a library or bookstore and grab a copy. Here are more reasons why I love this book:

Cover Thoughts: Eye Catching
Source: My Library

Summer Time Book Review: How to Meet Boys

Books perfect for the beach or to read by the pool

Lucy and her BFF Mikayla move to her grandparent's summer cabin for the summer. Lucy will work at her grandparent's store while Mikayla has a hob at the country club.  Both can't wait to start off the summer right and maybe have a summer fling.
Mikayla usually trouble talking to boys, but then she meets one that seems worth the trouble. She doesn't get his name the first few times that she meets him, but she can't wait to see him again. Lucy's annoyed to learn that she's be spending the summer working with her ex-best guy friend Jackson. They had a huge falling out years ago and she hasn't gotten over it.
Mikayla's already fallen for Jackson when she realizes his identity. How can she tell Lucy? Will her crush ruin the summer?

My Thoughts: I love Catherine Clark's books and this one is a fun summer novel with friendship, family, and relationship drama. I liked the idea of Lucy and Mikayla roughing it in their cabin and trying to have the best summer ever. I liked this honest look at crushes and friendships and communication - because it is hard to tell your best friend something that could change your relationship. Communication plays a key role in this book - not just between friends, but also with family and guys. I liked the small town charm for the summer.

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: My Library