A review by mehsi
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
4.0
This was a wonderful, gorgeous book. However, there were one or two things that I didn't particularly like.
Let me first start with what I liked.
First up. Matt's and Anna's relationship. They were so wonderful, so perfect together, and I feel like they had a big future ahead of them. It is so sad this happened to her, that his happened to Matt. No one deserves to die like that. So young, so full of plans, ideas and hopes. A future full of things that he wanted to do. All shattered away by the weakness of the human body.
I could also understand why Matt wanted to keep things a secret. He cares deeply about his sister, knows that this relationship might break her. After all they are all friends, and now 2 of the 3 are in love with each other. Are in a relationship.
I loved the family trip. The descriptions of the beach, the town, the houses, the stores, everything. I just felt like I was there. Enjoying the sun, taking a swim.
The whole grieving/lost part was done pretty well. It was pretty believable how even after a whole year there is still so much hurt, so much pain. After all they lost something huge, something big. They lost a son, a brother, a boyfriend.
I could relate to Anna at most parts. Not always though. Sometimes I found her a bit silly, other times I wished she was just honest and that she would tell Frankie all about Matt. I wish she would be honest, as she was drowning in tears, she was lost and alone. And she pushed that all aside to be with her friend, to take care of her friend.
I think she could have lost most of the grief if she had talked to someone. Anyone, really. She should have talked, not cropped it up and written letters in her journal. She also deserves to cry, to scream, to shout, to talk. I don't think it is healthy to just hold it all back, because of a promise. Because of a hidden relationship.
I am not sure what I thought about Sam. At times, I really liked him and he was a great character. He listened to Anna when she wanted to talk. He was there for her when she needed help. I also love the ending, while it isn't clearly said what happens between her and Sam after she gets back, I still think she will contact him and that they will try to meet at least once again. They have a connection, they had a good time. And he helped her out so much with so many things.
I really disliked Frankie and I hated her when she did that to her best friend. She has no right. Sure, he was her brother, but she isn't the only fucking one grieving. Fuck you. Fuck you so much. Your brother touched many people's hearts, you can't just claim him and expect that everyone caters to your desperate wishes. Sick little bitch. And she was a big hypocrite (I won't spoil anything, but let's just say, when I heard about it, I was soooo pissed).
I am sorry, but I really think that. Sure, I could also see she was a pretty decent friend. However, real friends don't push each other to lose virginity, to build an entire mission around it. Virginity is something special. And I might be old-fashioned, but I think you should wait with losing your virginity until you find that special person. Until the circumstances are right. Not because a best friend forces you do it, and you crumble under peer pressure.
I didn't like how she was so demanding and acting like a little spoiled princess.
And again, after a certain event, my hate was tripled or even more.
And I know, I know, she was probably grieving, wanting attention from her dear mommie and daddy, but there are just other ways than destroying your body with smoking, hooking up with boys and other things. Urgh.
Again, I think it would have been better had Anna talked to someone. We might not be in this huge pile of poo if it were for that.
At times it was a bit boring, at times I was a bit annoyed, but all in all this was one pretty story. I am really happy that one of my libraries had this book in English (it is so rare to find English books). I am happy I picked it up and that I had a chance to read it.
I would recommend this book to everyone.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Let me first start with what I liked.
First up. Matt's and Anna's relationship. They were so wonderful, so perfect together, and I feel like they had a big future ahead of them. It is so sad this happened to her, that his happened to Matt. No one deserves to die like that. So young, so full of plans, ideas and hopes. A future full of things that he wanted to do. All shattered away by the weakness of the human body.
I could also understand why Matt wanted to keep things a secret. He cares deeply about his sister, knows that this relationship might break her. After all they are all friends, and now 2 of the 3 are in love with each other. Are in a relationship.
I loved the family trip. The descriptions of the beach, the town, the houses, the stores, everything. I just felt like I was there. Enjoying the sun, taking a swim.
The whole grieving/lost part was done pretty well. It was pretty believable how even after a whole year there is still so much hurt, so much pain. After all they lost something huge, something big. They lost a son, a brother, a boyfriend.
I could relate to Anna at most parts. Not always though. Sometimes I found her a bit silly, other times I wished she was just honest and that she would tell Frankie all about Matt. I wish she would be honest, as she was drowning in tears, she was lost and alone. And she pushed that all aside to be with her friend, to take care of her friend.
I think she could have lost most of the grief if she had talked to someone. Anyone, really. She should have talked, not cropped it up and written letters in her journal. She also deserves to cry, to scream, to shout, to talk. I don't think it is healthy to just hold it all back, because of a promise. Because of a hidden relationship.
I am not sure what I thought about Sam. At times, I really liked him and he was a great character. He listened to Anna when she wanted to talk. He was there for her when she needed help. I also love the ending, while it isn't clearly said what happens between her and Sam after she gets back, I still think she will contact him and that they will try to meet at least once again. They have a connection, they had a good time. And he helped her out so much with so many things.
I really disliked Frankie and I hated her when she did that to her best friend. She has no right. Sure, he was her brother, but she isn't the only fucking one grieving. Fuck you. Fuck you so much. Your brother touched many people's hearts, you can't just claim him and expect that everyone caters to your desperate wishes. Sick little bitch. And she was a big hypocrite (I won't spoil anything, but let's just say, when I heard about it, I was soooo pissed).
I am sorry, but I really think that. Sure, I could also see she was a pretty decent friend. However, real friends don't push each other to lose virginity, to build an entire mission around it. Virginity is something special. And I might be old-fashioned, but I think you should wait with losing your virginity until you find that special person. Until the circumstances are right. Not because a best friend forces you do it, and you crumble under peer pressure.
I didn't like how she was so demanding and acting like a little spoiled princess.
And again, after a certain event, my hate was tripled or even more.
And I know, I know, she was probably grieving, wanting attention from her dear mommie and daddy, but there are just other ways than destroying your body with smoking, hooking up with boys and other things. Urgh.
Again, I think it would have been better had Anna talked to someone. We might not be in this huge pile of poo if it were for that.
At times it was a bit boring, at times I was a bit annoyed, but all in all this was one pretty story. I am really happy that one of my libraries had this book in English (it is so rare to find English books). I am happy I picked it up and that I had a chance to read it.
I would recommend this book to everyone.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/