shellysbookcorner's review against another edition
4.0
“I received a review copy from Amazon Vine and voluntarily provided an honest review. This does not affect the opinion of the book or the content of the review.’’
Ashton and Devon meet during the summer and have a typical summer fling but things don’t always go as planned. Not going to lie I didn’t feel their connection right away. I would have also liked to read both points of views from the characters during their time apart. As the story progressed and they started to spend more time together I started feeling the connection between Ashton and Devon. My heart was heavy for the both of them because they had SO many obstacles standing in their way and all they wanted to do was just be together. But sometimes love isn’t enough. *sighs*
This was a very nice debut novel by Ronni Davis. This book touches on a heavy topic which is depression. I loved how this book show you both sides of depression, how it affects the person dealing with the condition and how it affects the people that care about them as well. This story also touches on racism and classism as well. I did feel this book was rather on the long side and at times the pacing was a little off but overall I did enjoy the story. I look forward to reading more books by Ronni Davis in the future.
Ashton and Devon meet during the summer and have a typical summer fling but things don’t always go as planned. Not going to lie I didn’t feel their connection right away. I would have also liked to read both points of views from the characters during their time apart. As the story progressed and they started to spend more time together I started feeling the connection between Ashton and Devon. My heart was heavy for the both of them because they had SO many obstacles standing in their way and all they wanted to do was just be together. But sometimes love isn’t enough. *sighs*
This was a very nice debut novel by Ronni Davis. This book touches on a heavy topic which is depression. I loved how this book show you both sides of depression, how it affects the person dealing with the condition and how it affects the people that care about them as well. This story also touches on racism and classism as well. I did feel this book was rather on the long side and at times the pacing was a little off but overall I did enjoy the story. I look forward to reading more books by Ronni Davis in the future.
sylviaafayee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
mrssaints0514's review against another edition
3.0
At the urging of my teenager I read this book. I do appreciate that it was more than just a teenage fluffy romance book. Topics such as depression, suicide and biracial relationships are touched on. After reading this, my teenager and I were able to discuss these topics more in depth. It was a good lead in to some deeper conversations we had.
claudiasbooks23's review against another edition
5.0
I don’t know what to say about this book. All I know is that I loved it, the first time and love it the second time.
Devon longs for two things:
The stars and the boy she fell in love with one unforgettable summer.
Devon and Ashton met one summer when she was with her cousin Stephanie. Every year she would visit, now one summer she meets Ashton. They spend the whole summer together, falling in love together until one day he just left her. Poor Devon having to wait for him with no explanation. Now the start of high school and who does she see? The boy who broke her heart. They reconnected and even though he told her what happened, she was not able to let him in but he still loved her. He had so many struggles and couldn’t bring her in to it because it was a lot. They hang out together and talk and volunteer together, and they become closer. They have problems in their relationships because of his parents and what they expect from him. Ash doesn’t care about that only about Devon, but changes the way he acts when his parents intervene.
I didn’t like the part where he broke her heart the second time but he had a lot of stuff to deal with. He was depressed and he didn’t want her to see him like that. Everything was ok until one day, where he wanted to kill himself. He was sent to the hospital and then was sent to be recovered, Devon went to visit but at the end of that visit, their relationship was over again. She wanted to be with him no matter what and she was going to help him with his problems but Ashton did not want her to spend her life worrying about him so he walked away from her. Causing her heartbreak. Now she is focusing on herself and getting back on track with school. She gets into the college of her dreams and all is well until she sees him at graduation where they were together for one time.
The ending for me was a mix of emotions. Happy that she got to go to her dream school but sad because she didn’t have her first love. At the end she knows with or without him, she will have an epic life.
“Two summers ago, I’d say in this same surf. The tide had carried the sand from under my toes. I’d had no idea that I was going to meet a boy who would change me in so many ways. Id had no idea that I was going to fall deeply and relentlessly in love. I’d had no idea that my life would never be the same.”
Devon longs for two things:
The stars and the boy she fell in love with one unforgettable summer.
Devon and Ashton met one summer when she was with her cousin Stephanie. Every year she would visit, now one summer she meets Ashton. They spend the whole summer together, falling in love together until one day he just left her. Poor Devon having to wait for him with no explanation. Now the start of high school and who does she see? The boy who broke her heart. They reconnected and even though he told her what happened, she was not able to let him in but he still loved her. He had so many struggles and couldn’t bring her in to it because it was a lot. They hang out together and talk and volunteer together, and they become closer. They have problems in their relationships because of his parents and what they expect from him. Ash doesn’t care about that only about Devon, but changes the way he acts when his parents intervene.
I didn’t like the part where he broke her heart the second time but he had a lot of stuff to deal with. He was depressed and he didn’t want her to see him like that. Everything was ok until one day, where he wanted to kill himself. He was sent to the hospital and then was sent to be recovered, Devon went to visit but at the end of that visit, their relationship was over again. She wanted to be with him no matter what and she was going to help him with his problems but Ashton did not want her to spend her life worrying about him so he walked away from her. Causing her heartbreak. Now she is focusing on herself and getting back on track with school. She gets into the college of her dreams and all is well until she sees him at graduation where they were together for one time.
The ending for me was a mix of emotions. Happy that she got to go to her dream school but sad because she didn’t have her first love. At the end she knows with or without him, she will have an epic life.
“Two summers ago, I’d say in this same surf. The tide had carried the sand from under my toes. I’d had no idea that I was going to meet a boy who would change me in so many ways. Id had no idea that I was going to fall deeply and relentlessly in love. I’d had no idea that my life would never be the same.”
sc104906's review against another edition
2.0
I received this as an eARC through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Devon is a star girl. She is determined to to have a career in the astronomy field and she is determined to know as much about it as possible. It is this passion that draws summer boyfriend Ashton to her. Devon believes that this is a long-term kind of love, but Ashton disappears before saying goodbye. Devon is heartbroken and burned from love. She never truly got over Ashton and when he surprisingly starts going to her school a year later, they two are pulled back to each other. Ashton's world is very different from Devon's, not just based on race but through class and familial expectations. Is theirs a love that was always doomed?
This novel stayed within the high drama zone, at times reaching over-the-top proportions. I wished that Devon hadn't fallen into the trappings of the melodrama, because I liked her as a character and wanted her to stay independent. I never was sold on Ashton and I wasn't rooting for the couple. I will continue to read novels by this author, because I think as her novels develop, I will enjoy them.
Devon is a star girl. She is determined to to have a career in the astronomy field and she is determined to know as much about it as possible. It is this passion that draws summer boyfriend Ashton to her. Devon believes that this is a long-term kind of love, but Ashton disappears before saying goodbye. Devon is heartbroken and burned from love. She never truly got over Ashton and when he surprisingly starts going to her school a year later, they two are pulled back to each other. Ashton's world is very different from Devon's, not just based on race but through class and familial expectations. Is theirs a love that was always doomed?
This novel stayed within the high drama zone, at times reaching over-the-top proportions. I wished that Devon hadn't fallen into the trappings of the melodrama, because I liked her as a character and wanted her to stay independent. I never was sold on Ashton and I wasn't rooting for the couple. I will continue to read novels by this author, because I think as her novels develop, I will enjoy them.
keahreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
courtnoodles's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Cursing, Medical content, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Sexual content, Alcohol, and Racism
resslesa's review against another edition
5.0
Truly great!. Was just going to read a little and got sucked in. Definitely a new Emery Lord book -reminds me so much of her new one The Map from Here to There. Love the sex-positive Mom talk and the micro aggressions mentioned but not the focus of the story
kwalker974's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5