Summer by Summer by Heather Burch Pages: 288
Published by Blink, HarperCollins on April 7, 2015
Genres: contemporary, Love & Romance, Survival Stories, Suspense, Young Adult
Source: Paperback ARC from Publisher
When Summer took a job as a nanny for a couple vacationing in Belize, she imagined it would be a fresh start before starting college in the fall. And while she adores her charge, Josh, she can’t say the same for her employers’ oldest son, Bray. He’s cocky, inconsiderate, and makes her feel she’s a chore he has to put up with. In short, he’s everything she dislikes in a guy.
Bray had a plan for the summer: party, hang out with friends, and forget all the responsibilities waiting for him back home. But every time he’s forced to be around Summer, her dour, serious mood sets him off. Not to mention she has a habit of picking up on what he already knows is wrong with him.
Then the two find themselves on a dive trip gone wrong, stranded on a remote island. As they focus on survival, their differences melt away, and they find being together may be what both needed all along.
Summer by Summer is a standalone young adult contemporary. Summer by Summer has so many layers to it, and it will take you by surprise. The cover seems unassuming enough, with a pretty girl on a beach, and the start of the summer is much of the same. Summer takes a summer nanny gig with a rich family vacationing in Belize. But then it shifts. Bray, the families older son, and Summer are stranded on a deserted island. And then when you are reading, it shifts again and again, but I won’t give those away. Just know that every time I thought I got a grip on what this book was, it changed. I loved that because the pace and new layers kept me on my toes. Summer by Summer was a very nice story, and way more exciting than I originally anticipated.
It is published by Blink, an imprint of HarperCollins Christian publishing line Zondervan. It is a clean young adult novel, and the main character Summer used to be involved with her church youth group, so up front warning that religion is a theme in this book. It is not overly preachy, but it is a strong vein in the storyline. It comes up in a few different ways. I thought it tied in very nicely with the plot, but I did want to include that in my review because I know that some readers will want to know up front. The religion stemmed from an event that happened in Summer’s past, and I loved the way the author kept digging and bringing up this event because each time she wove it into the storyline, I felt like I got to know Summer a little better. And my heart broke for the poor girl. Bray was right, she is super strong.
The romance in Summer by Summer is very predominant and such a sweet romance. I really liked Summer and Bray. I thought they jumped all over the place in their feelings at the start. They were annoyed, they disliked each other and then Bray did a 180 and was all of a sudden very nice, and then they liked each other. That was my only hiccup with the story, but very soon after that rollercoaster Summer and Bray were stranded and from that point forward, I thought their relationship progressed my more naturally. My only other gripe with the story was something that happened in the epilogue. I thought it was all very nice, but it is something that I just don’t like seeing in the young adult books that I read. Personal preference of mine, but I can’t say what it is without spoilers. (the event/action not the message)
Summer by Summer was a nice read. I enjoyed it, and the part that I liked most of all was that Heather Burch was able to keep me on my toes while reading. Just when I would start to think the plot was dragging a bit, she would change things up drastically and some whole other element that I wasn’t expecting would be introduced. I am determined not to ruin the fun of this book with spoilers, so if you have read Summer by Summer please let me know because I would really liked to talk to someone about it! If you are looking for a very sweet, keep you on your toes clean YA- check out Summer by Summer.
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kindlemom1
Not sure how I would feel about the constantly changing scenes but it seems like you liked it well enough so I would be willing to give it a go. 😉 Great review!
Heidi
It’s nice to find a clean, summery sweet romance every once in awhile. I grow so tired fo all the YA and NA contemps that have to be so dramatic. I am sure this was refreshing.
Rachel @ Paper Cuts
Aw, this sounds fun! i like the idea of it constantly changing, keeping you on your toes. And I like to know that the Christian vein isn’t in your face, but still present. 🙂
Sarah @ One Curvy Blogger
I like that even though the book dragged in places, the author still kept you on your toes. I’ll have to add this to my TBR, since I dig the whole survival theme 🙂
Faye le Potato
Three stars sounds decent enough for a Contemporary read, although I’m not sure what I would feel about a romance that doesn’t have enough transition if it feels like the characters’ feelings took a 180 turn! Summer is here in the Philippines now so I will have to consider reading this as it’s the perfect season to do so 🙂
Faye at The Social Potato
Lekeisha
I will start this over the weekend. I’ve read Burch’s other books (paranormal romance) and wanted to see how she fares with contemporary. Great review!
Jenny
Wow this one sounds cute. I’m a sucker for stranded on an island stories. This one sounds like The Island. I remember the author but yeah.
Karina @ Watcha Reading
I saw this back when I went to ALA Midwinter and the guy was offering me a copy. But I just wasn’t drawn to that cover!! But your review makes it seem more interesting. I kind of regret denying it :/
Mckenzie @ A Belle's Tales
I really love the sound of this one! Summer and Bray sound like great characters, and I like the idea of a summer romance mixed in with being stranded on an island. This sounds so intriguing — I’m adding it to my TBR list for sure! Awesome review! 🙂
Thanks for sharing and for stopping by!
~Mckenzie
Kris @Imaginary Reads
This sounds like a sweet summer read. I’m glad you enjoyed it, Michelle!
Olivia
Oh man, I love the cover to this book. Especially now, when it feels like my whole body craves warm weather. Not sure I will pick this one up myself, but it does sound like a lot of others might like it!
Cali W.
Good review. The cover has a nice summery feel. 🙂