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A review by irxren
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
3.0
This book had me hooked from the beginning, tugging at my heartstrings and bringing back all the bittersweet memories of coming of age, first love, and the rollercoaster of emotions that come with it. The first part of the story captured that intensity perfectly—the messiness of navigating unfamiliar feelings, the drama of teenage friendships, and how everything seemed to matter so much back then.
However, things took a turn in the second half. The story started to feel like a bad YA novel, with stilted dialogue and some awkward moments, especially when it came to the more intimate scenes. Yes, teenagers are often focused on certain things, but the way it was handled here just didn’t sit right with me.
Percy turned out to be a bit of a frustrating character. At times, I could empathize with her, understanding why she made certain choices. But more often than not, she came across as selfish, always seeking validation and doing whatever it took to keep it, even when it meant hurting others. It’s hard to root for someone who seems so wrapped up in her own happiness without much regard for others. And then there was the cheating trope, which really soured the whole experience for me. It felt unnecessary and out of place, dragging down what could have been a much stronger story. The multiple instances of infidelity didn’t just feel repetitive; they felt like they undermined the emotional weight of the relationships that had been built up earlier in the book.
However, things took a turn in the second half. The story started to feel like a bad YA novel, with stilted dialogue and some awkward moments, especially when it came to the more intimate scenes. Yes, teenagers are often focused on certain things, but the way it was handled here just didn’t sit right with me.
Percy turned out to be a bit of a frustrating character. At times, I could empathize with her, understanding why she made certain choices. But more often than not, she came across as selfish, always seeking validation and doing whatever it took to keep it, even when it meant hurting others. It’s hard to root for someone who seems so wrapped up in her own happiness without much regard for others. And then there was the cheating trope, which really soured the whole experience for me. It felt unnecessary and out of place, dragging down what could have been a much stronger story. The multiple instances of infidelity didn’t just feel repetitive; they felt like they undermined the emotional weight of the relationships that had been built up earlier in the book.