Title: Loving SummerAuthor: Kailin GowPublisher: The EdgePublish Date: 28 May 2012Pages: 210ISBN: 978-1-59748-044-4Source: ARC from authorGenre: Young Adult, contemporary, romanceSeries: Loving SummerOther books in series: Perfect Summer (February 2013)Summer has always looked forward to spending her summers at her Aunt's beach house with the Donovans. To her, summers at Aunt Sookie's beach house was magical, especially getting to spend time with the Donovans - her best friend Rachel and Rachel's brothers Nathaniel, and Drew. Here at Aunt Sookie's beach house, they can be anyone and anything they dreamed. For Summer, she had always wished to become as pretty as Rachel and for her brothers to think of her as more than Rachel's friend. For Nat and Drew, summers at Aunt Sookie's beach house meant fun and escape, a place where they go to with their mom and sister for the summer, away from city life. They never thought this summer would be different. They never thought things would change as much as they did...and it all began with them falling for and loving Summer.
What would it be like if you could return to your favorite time of year? Summer has always loved spending time with her Aunt Sookie at her beach house in Malibu during the summer months. It helped that she also got to spend time with the Donovans - Rachel, Nathaniel and Drew. Summer had a lot of firsts with the Donnovans - "first kisses, first love and first heartbreak."
Rachel Donnovan is her best-friend and she is excited to be spending the summer with them after not having done so in a while. Summer has always had a crush on Nathaniel aka Nat, but he has never thought of her more than his little sister's friend. They have always got along well and made summers the best time of the year.
Now that Summer, Rachel, Nat and Drew are older, will they still have the same relationships as they did when they were younger and carefree? What is going on in Aunt Sookie's life that she invited them all to her house for the summer?
Loving Summer was the first book that I have read by Kailin Gow. I must say, I haven't read a lot of contemporary books, but I really liked this novel. Not only did it keep me in suspense of what was happening, but the character's responses were believable. I like the way that the characters related how they were feeling (or not) in this book. With all the focus on supernatural books, it is refreshing to read a story that could actually happen. I think that we sometimes forget that contemporary novels can be as entertaining as other genres. Gow really impressed me with this book and I am looking forward to reading her other books.
On the cover there are a girl and a guy holding hands on the beach. This is appropriate because this book is all about falling for someone. The galley copy that I received was really shiny. I hope that they make changes to that in the final edition. I hated picking the book up for that reason because it squeaked.
This is where I normally write what I liked and didn't like about the book and since I couldn't figure out what I didn't like, besides what was said in the cover section, I decided to go over the characters.
Summer Jones: She is drastically different than the last time the Donnovans have seen her. It has been three years and she is no longer the little girl with braces and glasses. She is the main character of the book.
Rachel Donnovan: Summer's best friend and the twin sister of Drew. She is going through her Goth stage currently. Rachel has felt the need to differentiate herself from her twin. Even though Drew and she are fraternal twins, they look alike. Rachel says she feels more like herself with her Goth look.
Nathaniel Donnovan: He is the oldest of the bunch. He is leaving his girlfriend, Chrissy, to go to Aunt Sookie's house for the summer. He isn’t happy about leaving at that time, but when he gets to Aunt Sookie’s house in Malibu, his attitude changes.
Drew Donnovan: He is the jock of the family and is missing football camp to go to Aunt Sookie's house. He is Rachel's twin brother and older by five minutes. She has told him that she doesn't want him to pursue a relationship with Summer because she doesn't want her to get hurt. Drew is used to getting a lot of ladies who only want to have sex.
Astor Fairway: He is an actor who is currently starring in a teen sitcom and sometimes takes private lessons from Aunt Sookie's Acting Academy. He says that he doesn’t really have any friends other than friends in the acting business.
Two Promotions that coincide with the release of Loving Summer release:
This blog tour runs through the month of June and there are multiple contests in it. Check out the full schedule on SupaSector Books. The next few stops are:
May 31 - FireStarBooks
"I don't have girlfriends. Just girls who like to have their way with me."
Astor Fairway: He is an actor who is currently starring in a teen sitcom and sometimes takes private lessons from Aunt Sookie's Acting Academy. He says that he doesn’t really have any friends other than friends in the acting business.
Aunt Sookie: She owns and runs the Acting Academy. She loves having Summer and the Donnovans up to her beach house during the summer.
Two Promotions that coincide with the release of Loving Summer release:
- Included in Loving Summer's Kindle Version, is a full-length Loving Summer Healthy Summer Recipes Cookbook written by Kailin Gow, which will also a book that will release and be sold separately, and valued at $9.99.
- Also, for anyone who purchase a copy of Loving Summer from Amazon.com, they get a chance to win one of Kailin's own Gently Used Coach Bag that is SIGNED by her, as well, valued at $500.
May 29 - Kindling the Fire
May 30 - Waiting on Sunday to Drown
Love your breakdown of the characters. Great post. Kailin Gow is amazing and I love her work. I've read many of her books and this is one I just purchased so can't wait to start turning those pages.
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