Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
Published May 8, 2012 by Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing
468 Pages
Purchased by Reviewer
Blurb:
From the Flying Start author of Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour, a powerful novel about hope in the face of heartbreak.
Taylor Edwards’ family might not be the closest-knit—everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled—but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor’s dad gets devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend one last summer all together at their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains.
Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend…and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.
As the summer progresses and the Edwards become more of a family, they’re more aware than ever that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance—with family, with friends, and with love.
My Thoughts:
It took me a while to read this book, even though it had sat on my shelf for about a year. I guess it was over hyped and I didn’t want to ruin it by getting my hopes up that it would be great? Well, I should have read it sooner, because it was!
There are so many different aspects to this book! There is a little mystery, there is a reunion of sorts, there is love between members of a family, and a little romance between a boy and a girl, there is also hope and loss.
I enjoyed the character of Taylor. She was snarky when she had to be and serious when it was called for. I really liked the quiet moments that she spent with her Dad. You could tell that he really loved his children and tried to put forth a tremendous effort to make them believe he was okay.
The romance and friendship were cute too! I do not want to get too much into it for fear of giving anything away. BUT, you must know that you will be immediately adding another book boyfriend to your already long list!!!
This book made me rethink the relationship with my own father and also made me want to take a trip to the Poconos! We only live about 45 minutes from the setting in the book and I secretly felt closer to the story because of it. The ending was excruciating for me, probably due to my own daddy issues but it seriously tore my heart out!
Anyone whom loves contemporary needs to read this book! Get the tissues ready though! Don’t say I didn’t warn you;)
NightlyReading 