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A review by wayfaringbibliomaniac
When Summer Ends by Jessica Pennington
5.0
I really loved this story. I've been following Jessica's journey as an author ever since I heard about Love Songs & Other Lies, which I haven't gotten to read yet, but will be adding it to my TBR for next month now that I've gotten to read this.
Olivia and Aiden trade narrating throughout. I generally love this style of writing, so I was able to immerse myself in it all the more. The perks of this style are that you get two PoV's and so more details regarding various scenes, but this can be a serious downside if one of the characters is boring. Luckily, Jessica writes amazing characters, so I was happy to read both PoV's throughout the novel. The pacing of the story was also really great. It was quick enough that I was able to read it fairly quickly, but still detailed enough that I felt I could nearly step into their story. 10 points for storytelling!
Olivia learns early in the story that her aunt, whom she lives with, has taken a new position in a different state - taking Olivia away from her hometown right before her senior year of high school unless she can find an alternative. She asks her boyfriend, Zander, if they can talk to his parents about her living with them. Said conversation doesn't go to plan. Aiden is the varsity pitcher of the baseball team, and also Zander's teammate. Aiden, it turns out, is having some issues with his pitching, so quits the team and takes a job with his family's business - River Depot. Where Olivia ends up getting a summer job!
I think the bit I struggled with most was her mother re-entering the scene. I have had a tense (non-existentent) relationship with my own mother for more than a few years now. Obviously, it wasn't the same situation, but I don't believe I would have been able to forgive mine so quickly or easily as Olivia did in the novel.
I really enjoyed the setting of River Depot because it's exactly the kind of place I would have loved to work at during the when I was in high school! It is quintessential summer on the river. This was a cute summer story with some heavy topics explored throughout. I felt some of it deep in my soul... There are a few themes I've struggled with in my own life, such as abandonment by a parent as well as the vision issues, so that was a bit hard for me. Made me relate to Olivia and Aiden, and I think it made me love it even more. Pennington explored those topics very well and I can't wait to see what she writes next!
Had to be a FIVE STAR read for me.
Olivia and Aiden trade narrating throughout. I generally love this style of writing, so I was able to immerse myself in it all the more. The perks of this style are that you get two PoV's and so more details regarding various scenes, but this can be a serious downside if one of the characters is boring. Luckily, Jessica writes amazing characters, so I was happy to read both PoV's throughout the novel. The pacing of the story was also really great. It was quick enough that I was able to read it fairly quickly, but still detailed enough that I felt I could nearly step into their story. 10 points for storytelling!
Olivia learns early in the story that her aunt, whom she lives with, has taken a new position in a different state - taking Olivia away from her hometown right before her senior year of high school unless she can find an alternative. She asks her boyfriend, Zander, if they can talk to his parents about her living with them. Said conversation doesn't go to plan. Aiden is the varsity pitcher of the baseball team, and also Zander's teammate. Aiden, it turns out, is having some issues with his pitching, so quits the team and takes a job with his family's business - River Depot. Where Olivia ends up getting a summer job!
I think the bit I struggled with most was her mother re-entering the scene. I have had a tense (non-existentent) relationship with my own mother for more than a few years now. Obviously, it wasn't the same situation, but I don't believe I would have been able to forgive mine so quickly or easily as Olivia did in the novel.
I really enjoyed the setting of River Depot because it's exactly the kind of place I would have loved to work at during the when I was in high school! It is quintessential summer on the river. This was a cute summer story with some heavy topics explored throughout. I felt some of it deep in my soul... There are a few themes I've struggled with in my own life, such as abandonment by a parent as well as the vision issues, so that was a bit hard for me. Made me relate to Olivia and Aiden, and I think it made me love it even more. Pennington explored those topics very well and I can't wait to see what she writes next!
Had to be a FIVE STAR read for me.