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infectiousreading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The youthful sensuality of some YA romances makes me yearn for it; I was not lovin' like this at 18, y'all. 🥹 Yet, I am always impressed by how YA writing portrays tenderness and caring for another person using love language, and THE SUMMER OF BROKEN RULES certainly achieved this, while also presenting a larger narrative of grief.
It is Walther's ability to make more rudimentary forms of communication feel so sensual and private, yet so open and vulnerable between Meredith and Stephen/Wit that made seeing their affection for one another so enthralling. I am always attracted to characters who are capable of growing beyond their relationships while still falling in love with them. You can do both. Mer's growth beyond her relationship with her grief in addition to being able to experience positive love was brilliantly portrayed.
Honestly, I was not expecting TSoBR to be as engrossing as it was. I am not a "huge" Swift fan, and I was actually surprised by how heavily influenced the premise is regarding Swift when the story contains a few lines, but it is a complete story on its own without them. Having listened to her when she was more country, I enjoyed them, but they are few and far between.
Throughout the wedding, though, I was caught up in this familial grief, while navigating being around the same family who are still alive after a traumatic event (when someone else is not from the same accident) and preparing to get married -- as well as playing a larger family game called "Assassian." (A lot happens y'all!!!)
The best part was that I was able to relate to Mer and Stephen's struggles both separately and together, despite the fact that they were 18/19 years old. The banter between the two is one of the most captivating parts of the story; love has struck me sick after this, but I am so happy it did. Thank you, K.L. Walther. You did it. Whatever it was.
It is Walther's ability to make more rudimentary forms of communication feel so sensual and private, yet so open and vulnerable between Meredith and Stephen/Wit that made seeing their affection for one another so enthralling. I am always attracted to characters who are capable of growing beyond their relationships while still falling in love with them. You can do both. Mer's growth beyond her relationship with her grief in addition to being able to experience positive love was brilliantly portrayed.
Honestly, I was not expecting TSoBR to be as engrossing as it was. I am not a "huge" Swift fan, and I was actually surprised by how heavily influenced the premise is regarding Swift when the story contains a few lines, but it is a complete story on its own without them. Having listened to her when she was more country, I enjoyed them, but they are few and far between.
Throughout the wedding, though, I was caught up in this familial grief, while navigating being around the same family who are still alive after a traumatic event (when someone else is not from the same accident) and preparing to get married -- as well as playing a larger family game called "Assassian." (A lot happens y'all!!!)
The best part was that I was able to relate to Mer and Stephen's struggles both separately and together, despite the fact that they were 18/19 years old. The banter between the two is one of the most captivating parts of the story; love has struck me sick after this, but I am so happy it did. Thank you, K.L. Walther. You did it. Whatever it was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Car accident, and Alcohol