Title: The Summer After You and MeAuthor: Jennifer Salvato Doktorski
Also by this author: How My Summer Went Up in Flames
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: May 1, 2015
Rating:
Sunbathing, surfing, eating funnel cake on the boardwalk—Lucy loves living on the Jersey Shore. For her, it's not just the perfect summer escape, it is home. And as a local girl, she knows not to get attached to the tourists. They breeze in over Memorial Day weekend, crowding the shore and stealing moonlit kisses, only to pack up their beach umbrellas and empty promises on Labor Day. Lucy wants more from love than a fleeting romance, even if that means keeping her distance from her summertime neighbor and crush, Connor.
Then Superstorm Sandy tears apart her barrier island, briefly bringing together a local girl like herself and a vacationer like Connor. Except nothing is the same in the wake of the storm. And day after day, week after week, Lucy is left to pick up the pieces of her broken heart and broken home. Now with Memorial Day approaching and Connor returning, will it be a summer of fresh starts or second chances?
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: The Summer After You and Me
The Summer After You and Me by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski is the perfect summer read. Reading this book will leave readers dreaming of sandy beach towns. In this book by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski, Lucy, the main character, is swept into the eye of an actual storm while dealing with love and the search for independence.
❀ Fascinating Story
The Summer After You and Me is set in the horrific time of Hurricane Sandy, which makes this book feel quite realistic. After Superstorm Sandy hits Lucy’s hometown, her family is struggling financially. Usually, beachy reads are pretty laid-back and simple. This time period of devastation for so many adds a special flavour to this book that turns it into a relatable and fascinating story.
❀ Lots of Romance
As expected in a book set in a beach town, there is a romantic plot line. In The Summer After You and Me, Lucy has a twin brother, Liam. Lucy’s brother and boyfriend hate each other. Lucy is caught in the middle of the two people she loves. This rift between the two siblings creates tension and drama that will satisfy those who enjoy a good romance novel.
❀ Feminist Story
The main character, Lucy, is very determined and self-reliant. Throughout the novel, Lucy is pursuing her dream of becoming a marine mammalogist. She knows how to go for what she wants by volunteering in a similar field and talking to a friend who knows all about marine biology. It is refreshing to read a book that encourages young women to be independent and attain their goals.
❀ Fast-Paced
The Summer After You and Me by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski will be enjoyed by fans of Sarah Dessen. It is a fast-paced story that has the right mix of drama, love and determination.
About Jennifer Salvato Doktorski
Jennifer Salvato Doktorski is the author of the YA novels, HOW MY SUMMER WENT UP IN FLAMES, FAMOUS LAST WORDS, a Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year, THE SUMMER AFTER YOU & ME, a YALSA Teens' Top 10, and AUGUST & EVERYTHING AFTER.
Her first paid writing gig was as an editorial assistant for the North Jersey Herald & News, where, in addition to developing a life-long passion for coffee and news, she wrote obituaries for eight months. She also worked as a speech writer, bank teller, ghostwriter, bookkeeper in a lampshade factory, pet shop clerk, and music zine editor.
She lives with her family in New Jersey and spends her summers “down the shore,” where everything's always all right.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, novice New Yorker, & professional bibliophile.
I’m so glad you liked this one more than me. I really liked Lucy too, but I couldn’t get over Lucy’s friends. I thought Kiki and Liam were huge jerks to her and it really bugged me. But I loved the writing and I loved the chapter intros from her paper as well. They were my favorite part of the book.
Great Review!
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Agreed. The way her friends acted was pretty annoying, but the rest of book was very well done. 🙂