Latest Read: Nantucket Blue

Here are the basics ...
Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
Publication date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Category: Young Adult - Contemporary
Source: Purchased

Summary: For Cricket Thompson, a summer like this one will change everything. A summer spent on Nantucket with her best friend, Jules Clayton, and the indomitable Clayton family. A summer to surpass all dreams. When Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy that forces the girls apart, Jules becomes a stranger whom Cricket wonders whether she ever really knew. And instead of lying on the beach, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise for the summer. But it’s the things Cricket hadn’t counted on--most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits--that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality. (Adapted goodreads.com)

My thoughts…

The good: It's impossible to read Nantucket Blue and not wish you could hop onto the next plane to be there yourself. Leila Howland's words conjured up visions of blue skies, fluffy white clouds, warm salty air and just that freedom summer used to bring when you're seventeen years old. (God I miss that!)

Cricket Thompson is determined to make her summer unforgettable and I have to say, I admired her strength and independence so much. When her best friend Jules & her family invites Cricket to spend the summer with them in Nantucket, she's beyond excited. She's picturing the fun she'll have with Jules and imagining long days spent with Jay Logan, a guy she's liked forever. But then tragedy strikes Jules' family and suddenly she's no longer invited and Jules will barely speak to her. That doesn't stop Cricket though - from being a good friend or having a summer in Nantucket like she planned. She ends up finding a job, going on her own and letting Jules knows she'll be there when she's ready. But none of her plans actually go as planned. And still, she didn't give up! Aside from the setting, Cricket was definitely the brightest spot of the book. She was funny and I found her thoughts to be so completely honest, girly and teenager-like. I loved that the author didn't put any sort of filter on Cricket's inner dialogue.

(Some minor) reservations: It's clear from the start that Jules means the world to Cricket. But I felt like I only understood why on a superficial level. We get a tiny glimpse of their relationship before the tragedy and the rest of the book is spent with Jules being a total brat to Cricket (and that's putting it nicely). I know Jules goes through a lot and like Cricket, I kept telling myself that even when I wanted to slap her silly. But honestly, I couldn't feel much for her character at all. And that's part of the reason why I wanted them to work it out so badly. I wanted to see what made Cricket fight so hard for their friendship.

There's also romance in the book, don't worry - the cover isn't entirely misleading. The relationship surprised me though and I think the author took a risk which really paid off. (Notice how I'm purposely vague? You have to not know when you read this.) It was portrayed in a way that felt very much like realistic, young love but not without its dramatic or even awkward moments, of course. The author really captured those feelings of first love so well. So why is it a reservation for me? Honestly it's just my own personal opinions which made me not 100% into their relationship. But I still liked it!

Do I recommend?: If you want a quick, summer read - something you can breeze through or take along with you to the beach, I think this would be perfect.

Happy reading!