Review: Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland

Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland

Publication Date: May 7, 2013
Page Count: 304
Published by: Disney Hyperion
Source: eARC courtesy of publisher

Synopsis From Goodreads:

For Cricket Thompson, a summer like this one will change everything. A summer spent on Nantucket with her best friend, Jules Clayton, and the indomitable Clayton family. A summer when she’ll make the almost unattainable Jay Logan hers. A summer to surpass all dreams.

Some of this turns out to be true. Some of it doesn’t.

When Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy that forces the girls apart, Jules becomes a stranger whom Cricket wonders whether she ever really knew. And instead of lying on the beach working on her caramel-colored tan, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise for the summer.

But it’s the things Cricket hadn’t counted on--most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits--that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality.

A beautiful future is within her grasp, and Cricket must find the grace to embrace it. If she does, her life could be the perfect shade of Nantucket blue.

This book really highlights just how complicated friendships can become, especially between teenage girls. Cricket thought she and Jules would always be friends. But something big happens to Jules and her family, and she suddenly pulls away from Cricket, leaving Cricket hurt and confused. Seemingly overnight, Jules becomes someone that Cricket no longer recognizes.

As much as this story is about friendship and love, it's also about growing up and moving on. Learning how to be strong, stand on your own, and overcome challenges that come your way.

Cricket was looking forward to spending the summer with Jules' family in Nantucket. This was also supposed to be the perfect opportunity to spend time with her longtime crush, Jay. But when she gets to Nantucket, she finds that neither Jules nor Jay is happy to see her. The reason for Jay's cold shoulder came as a surprise and was quite shocking to me. As the summer progressed, Cricket started learning how to live without her best friend. I admired her determination to enjoy the summer, even though it was much different than what she originally planned. She was able to make new friends and have new experiences. She also started a secret relationship with a younger guy. I actually enjoyed their relationship and found it refreshing and different. But how will everyone else react when the relationship is revealed?

Cricket was such a sweet character and I loved how she still wanted to be friends with Jules, even after Jules shut her out without an explanation. Cricket didn't want to give up on their friendship and really made an effort to understand what Jules was going through. Cricket wasn't perfect and she made some mistakes, and I think that made her more relatable. While I could sympathize with Jules and her situation, I thought she handled things wrong and really acted immature and thoughtless.

I loved the little story within the story regarding Cricket's mom and the mystery man from her mom's past. I enjoyed Cricket reading her mother's diary and reliving her memories of an earlier summer spent on Nantucket.

I thought the supporting characters were great because they were so varied. Cricket's boss, Gavin, was laid back and gave wise and intelligent advice. Her co-worker, Liz, who was brash and outspoken. But the one I liked the most was George, the writer that Cricket interned for. And I loved Zack - he was sweet and adorable and so lovable!

Nantucket Summer is full of emotion and enjoyable characters. The author created a sweet, funny, very entertaining, and well written book. So go out and get yourself a copy! Once you start it, it will be impossible to put down. I think it's a perfect summer read, and I just love that gorgeous cover.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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