Skip to main content

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler


Be sure to check out the 20 Things in 20 Days Scavenger Hunt
Clue #15 is right here on this blog!

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Genre: Contemporary

Release Date: 6/1/09

About the Book: Frankie, Anna and Matt have always been inseparable. Then one summer changed everything-Matt and Anna become something more. They spend a month sneaking out and sharing a summer romance-until the tragic accident that Matt dies in.

Now, a year later, Anna is joining Frankie and family on their first summer vacation without Matt. Frankie is convinced if they find a boy every day, Anna will have a summer romance. Anna still keeps her and Matt a secret and she's not sure she's ready to let Matt go.

GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: A perfect book for readers wanting summer romance with something deeper. The story deals with loss, grief, and letting go without being bogged down in those issues. Sarah Ockler does something amazing-she manages to tie together something tragic with the sweetness and happiness of first love. I don't know how she pulls it off, but it all comes together in a great story that has many layers and readers are in for a treat.

The memories of Matt made him feel like a real character, although I would have liked a few more Matt moments, because he seemed so sweet. But I also liked Sam and enjoyed Anna's burgeoning relationship with him. One of my favorite quotes of the book, “What is the statute of limitations on feeling guilty for cheating on a ghost?” really sums up Anna for me. She's unsure of how and when to let go of Matt, but she's also opens herself up to falling for someone else. I think that makes her a great character.

Frankie could be annoying and I wish we could have seen more of her pre-Matt self. One of things I liked is that everything doesn't tie up in a neat little bow in the end-the characters still have some growing to do, which I think makes the book more satisfying and realistic.

A great read-I read this one in one sitting. It has a light breezy feel to it at times, but it also has depth. I would recommend to fans of Sarah Dessen, Nicholas Sparks, and Ann Brashares.

Labels:

Comments

  1. VanessaJune 25, 2009 at 1:26 PM

    It's pretty heavy subject matter to manage a light, breezy feel. I'm a little scared to read this, because I am a total book bawler, but I may have to check it out. Thanks for the review.

    ReplyDelete
  2. KateJune 25, 2009 at 1:39 PM

    Great review. I really want to read this book. It sounds like it might be a deep novel but I like a book with depth. Thanks for the review.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Just Your Typical Book BlogJune 25, 2009 at 2:28 PM

    Great review! I've been wanting to read this book forever now and my copy should be coming next week. It sounds like the type of read I'll really enjoy.

    Amber

    ReplyDelete
  4. Becky W.June 25, 2009 at 2:34 PM

    Great review! I liked the quote that you used too! I loved so many things about this book. It came as a recommendation from a friend, and I'm glad that I read it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. EleniJune 25, 2009 at 2:58 PM

    Come pick up your Kreativ Blogger award!!
    http://lafemmereaders.blogspot.com/2009/06/whoo-hoo-ive-been-nominated.html

    ReplyDelete
  6. BrianaJuly 2, 2009 at 6:17 PM

    Great review! That book looks so interesting, I may have to check it out the next time I'm at the book store/library.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

I love hearing from other readers! Share your thoughts and chime in!

Popular posts from this blog

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Rating: 5/5 Stars Genre: Realistic Fiction Release Date: 2/26/2013 Add to Goodreads About the Book: Eleanor and Park are both misfits. When new girl Eleanor sits next to Park on the bus, they don't want anything to do with each other. But over the course of the school year, things change. It starts with comic books and becomes a friendship and a romance that the two will never forget. You never forget your first love. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Have you ever had a book sit on your shelf that you've heard so much hype about? And you think that books sounds like it would be right up your alley, but you're in a reading slump and you're afraid to give it a try unless it fails? I knew Eleanor and Park sounded like my perfect book, but I was in such an after committee slump that I even though I knew this book would help, I just didn't want to be disappointed. I should have known better because Eleanor and Park was perfect and everything that I had hoped it wou
6 comments
Read more

Post Downton Abbey Reading List

Downton Abbey is over (with a shocking and frustrating ending!) and now I'm suffering Downton Abbey withdrawal. I've got a reading list full of books that I hope will satisfy my post-Downton Abbey cravings and I thought I'd share what's in my pile and get suggestions for other after Downton reads. Here's what I hope to be reading this year (a mix of YA and adult titles):                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  A couple Julian Fellowes reads:                And a few re-reads:                    Edited to add: What's on your Post-Downton Abbey reading list?
4 comments
Read more

Tween Tuesday: Drizzle by Kathleen Van Cleve

Rating: 2.5/5 Stars Genre: Magical Realism Release Date: 3/4/2010 Add to Goodreads About the Book: Polly Peabody lives on a magical farm. They grow chocolate rhubarb, it rains every Monday at exactly 1:00, and her best friend is a plant named Harry. When the rain stops, Polly's brother falls ill, and her aunt wants to sell the farm, Polly must figure out a way to save her beloved home. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Drizzle is on our state book list and one of our Chat & Chew book club picks. The kids reviews were mixed on this one and sadly, it was my least favorite of all the books we read for Chat & Chew. The kids that liked it said it had action, but for me the plot was slow and dragged too much. The book could have been edited down and I lost interest in the story. I liked the magical farm that Polly lived on, but the magic wasn't enough to hold my interest. I felt like the plot went around in circles too much and never got going. The ending was also a bit
1 comment
Read more