Jennifer Castle

*I got this as an e arc from the publisher*
I thought this was adorable holiday romance. I really thought it was quick read and I really loved the structure of the book. I thought the characters were compelling and I loved all the various POV we got but I would have liked more from the characters we saw in one chapter. I am also a sucker for accomplishing a mission books in YA novels. It was super fun read and I read it so fast. I thought that characters were relatable and it did address harder issues but the issues addressed could have been clearer. I also wanted a stronger ending and one that gave me closure! But I would def read this this holiday season when it comes out in Jan!
… (mer)

*I got this as an e arc from the publisher*
I thought this was adorable holiday romance. I really thought it was quick read and I really loved the structure of the book. I thought the characters were compelling and I loved all the various POV we got but I would have liked more from the characters we saw in one chapter. I am also a sucker for accomplishing a mission books in YA novels. It was super fun read and I read it so fast. I thought that characters were relatable and it did address harder issues but the issues addressed could have been clearer. I also wanted a stronger ending and one that gave me closure! But I would def read this this holiday season when it comes out in Jan!
… (mer)

Carly, Daniella, Lainie, and Penny are best friends that spend their summers together in the seaside town of Ocean Park Heights on the Jersey Shore. They are the #SummerSisters and have a tradition of completing a bucket list every summer, usually created by Carly. However, this summer, the summer of 9th grade, everything changes for the summer sisters. Daniella is going to a special music academy in NYC, Lainie finds out her family is moving, Penny finds that she might be moving at a faster pace than her friends and Carlie passes suddenly before the summer. Separated and struggling, Daniella, Lainie and Penny try to complete this summer's bucket list that Carly left behind.

When We Had Summer is a heartfelt coming of age young adult story. Focused on change, loss and growing up, each of the girls face a different challenge this summer while trying to carry on the bucket list tradition and honor Carly's memory. It was interesting seeing how the girls faced their different challenges and how they coped. Even as an adult it was easy to relate to the challenges the girls were facing and the impacts on their lives, breaking down everything they thought they were and having to rebuild. It was also nice to see the girls get the help they needed from their peers and adults around them. I loved when the summer sisters were able to come together along with the others who had helped them to memorialize Carly in a meaningful way.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.… (mer)