Summer State of Mind

Whispering Pines #2

by Jen Calonita

Summer has finally arrived and fifteen-year-old Harper McCallister intends to spend her days at the mall shopping or by the pool at her country club. But after receiving her latest heart-stopping credit card bill, Harper's parents makes other plans, and ship her off to camp.
Suddenly, the clueless yet ever-popular Harper is the new girl at the bottom of a social ladder she can't climb in wedge sandals and expensive clothes. She seems to be winning over super-cute camp "Lifer" Ethan, though, and if she can manage to make a few friends--and stay out of trouble--she just might find a whole new summer state of mind.
A fresh and funny summer-camp companion novel to Jen Calonita's hit Sleepaway Girls .

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Summer, Chick Lit, Romance, Audiobook

257 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Hi Goodreads!
I'm Jen Calonita, a MG and YA author who loves what I do because it lets me connect with all of you (and no, I wasn't intending for that to rhyme!).

I've been writing ever since I can remember, but it was fourth grade when I put my "three wishes" for a genie down on paper. They were:
#1. Buy all the Cabbage Patch Kids in the world and give them away for free (because apparently that was how I rolled).
#2. I wanted a mansion, limo, lake house, pool and speed boat (still sounds quite nice).
#3. I wanted to be an author for young readers, which I am!

I love writing novels for teens (and for savvy grown ups who know that YA rocks at any age). My first series was "Secrets of My Hollywood Life" and it followed a teen star named Kaitlin Burke who struggled with the fame game. I have also written the stand-alone novels Sleepaway Girls, it's companion book, Summer State of Mind and the Belles series.

I've been writing middle grade too and am having so much fun with my series Fairy Tale Reform School! The fourth book in this series about a school run by former villains is called Tricked and will be out March 2018. Ever wonder what it would be like if your parents got a job with someone like Taylpr Swift? My other middle grade series, VIP, follows super fan Mackenzie Lowell as she tours with her favorite band, Perfect Storm.

I promise to give book updates here, and on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or my website. I hope I hear from you!

xo
Jen

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am so excited to read this!!! I absolutely adore the first novel (I reread it every summer) and was just lamenting the fact that there is only one book where I can visit Whispering Pines!

[Liviania · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the perfect time of year to get into the SUMMER STATE OF MIND. Harper McAllister's family moved to LA after her father (McDaddy) became a successful music video director. She's become a bit spendy as she works to fit in. But when McDaddy gets the credit card bill, he decides she's going to summer camp.

I've never read companion SLEEPAWAY GIRLS, but it's really not necessary. It's about characters who are counselors in SUMMER STATE OF MIND and not Harper. I really liked Harper. I don't share her obsession with aromatherapy candles or hair care, but I felt for her struggle to fit in. She relies on things because it's the best way she knows to make it work. That doesn't work so well at a summer camp, but there are still people worth meeting.

Harper's friends Lina and Ethan were terrific. Lina in particular is very different from Harper, a real sports maniac, but they both understand standing on the sidelines. Ethan is sweet like Harper, and always willing to talk. Harper's twin brother is also there, egging her on at every turn (since he thinks she can't hack it).

I found the descriptions of summer camp pretty dead on. (Except for the cabin raid. I think those only happen in movies. At least SUMMER STATE OF MIND gets how upsetting it would be to have your sheets and luggage ruined.) There's the zip line, the lake, the clean up, and the singing. There's also the enthusiasm whenever anything competitive happens.

SUMMER STATE OF MIND is a short read well suited to a long bath or rest by the pool. It's not a complicated book, but Harper's journey to remembering who she is beneath the materialism is well done. Don't expect twists and turns, but do expect fun.

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reason, I cannot resist a camp book. The setting always lends itself to fun and shenanigans, and Calonita did not disappoint me.

The set up: Rich daddy sees his daughter spending with reckless abandon. He also feels like she is being exploited by her friends, so he sends her to his childhood sleep-away camp to get back to basics.
This summer, Harper was challenged to figure out who she was without her AmEx, and who she found was pretty awesome.

This book was so fun and cute. I loved being at camp with Harper, and I was so happy to see her find her way back to pre-rich girl Harper. She struggled a bit with fitting in at camp, but she never gave up. Harper did a lot of soul searching out there in the mountains, and she realized some hard truths about her friends and herself. So, lots of personal growth. A sweet romance, some fantastic friends, and a fun video contest rounded out the summer at camp, which I can confidently call a success.

Overall: A fun and light summer camp romp

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[Helena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh. I loved the first one, but really just didn't enjoy this one. Very cliche.

Although the first one was narrated by the main girl, I felt like the book wasn't all about her, but about everyone in camp. With this one, I felt it was too much Harper. I know that's kind of supposed to be the point, she gets sent off to camp because of her new habits and attitude, but I thought a lot of the book was cringe.

Also, why break up Sam and Cole?? There was no point. She basically just undid everything she wrote an entire first book about.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Harper McCallister can't wait for summer! Shopping, hanging out by the cabana at the beach club, and going to the best nightlife spots on Long Island are all on her agenda... until her father sees the massive credit card bill she's run up. Suddenly, she and her twin brother Kyle are being shipped off to Camp Whispering Pines - no best friends, no cell phones, and no designer clothes. Harper isn't sure she can survive... but she just might be proven wrong.

This is the kind of fluffy, predictable, easily-adapted-into-a-Disney-movie, feel-good chick-lit story that doesn't seem to see a lot of publication these days. The story and writing are just OK (hence the two star rating), but nonetheless I'm glad to see that books like these are still being written. They really are quite popular among reluctant teen readers. They're also great for younger kids whose reading level has exceeded the juvenile section, but who might not be ready for some of the themes in contemporary YA. It's marketed as young adult, but there's really no content in it that would prevent younger kids from reading it - no violence unless you count a mud-pit fight, there isn't even mild language, and there's no sexual content apart from a couple of chaste kisses. I've classed it as middle-grade for that reason. This book is good, clean, inoffensive, but very predictable fun.

[AG]

Predictable, mindless read, which is exactly what I wanted. Very basic writing, a lot of reliance on telling how characters were acting or progressing, and some incredibly strange and not entirely thought out views on femininity, sleepaway camp, and mean girls (the mean girl at home being compared to the mean girl at camp, but camp is still a place where you can be yourself? what makes one worse than the other, or why are they the same, and what is the message behind them being the same? why are we glorifying sleepaway camp if it is still the same sort of exclusivity dynamic she's leaving behind? I could pull quotes but that seems overblown.) I wish there had been more nuance in this but, truly, I was really not reading for nuance. This book did what was asked of it.

[Bree | alibraryforone · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

[Adéla Vymazalová · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pro mladší

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, light YA Contemporary read just in time for the spring/summer season - Summer State of Mind will definitely please fans of Calonita's as well as be a great choice for others who enjoy YA Contemporary. This Contemp YA novel takes place at a sleep away camp over summer break, and explores teenage identity, fitting in, and friendships.
Highlights
Having already read Calonita's Belles series, I was immediately interested when I heard she had a new offering available and I went and ordered it from Amazon right away. Having only ever heard of Calonita in reference to her Belles series, I wasn't aware until after I read the book that this is technically the second in the Whispering Pines series. However, if you haven't yet read the first book have no fear - this one reads like a stand-alone and from what I've been told features mostly new characters and an independent plot. I always enjoy a "series" where each book might take place in the same world, and overlap characters, but each can stand as an independent read - so right away that gets points from me.
I really enjoyed the read - it was just what I was looking for: light, fun, quick, and summer-y. Having never been a summer sleep away camp attendee (the most I've ever done was Girl Scout camps) - I can say the book paints a pretty fantastic picture - I definitely wanted to go back and do a summer session in high school at Whispering Pines! The author does a great job of making it sound pretty fantastic, even with a main character who dislikes the outdoors, camping, bugs, anything athletic, etc. - and as a girl who isn't overly athletic myself, it still sounded fun!
I think what stood out for me the most while I was reading (and makes me want to force my high school aged little sis to read this) would be the topics that are the focus of the book. The story's central themes involve friendship, identity, fitting in, and learning what you value. I enjoyed that the main character, Harper, is on a journey (whether she realizes and/or wants to be) of self-discovery and growth. Harper starts off pretty annoying, she has some clearly redeeming qualities (you can tell her hearts in the right place), however she is pretty superficial and waaaay to focused on all the wrong things.
I enjoyed watching Harper progress and learn to adapt to new experiences, try new things, and begin to find herself in the process. It was nice to watch her develop a friendship with Lina at camp, and see how their friendship grows and what Harper learns about being a friend from this. It was also refreshing to read a YA Contemp where the primary focus was not on the romance, although romance did play a small role as well.
Wishes
Generally, I really enjoyed this read and it fit with what I was expecting and looking for. A few wishes I might have had about the book would have to be around Kate and Margo (Harper's friends from home). I really didn't like Kate (for the entire book!), but Margo I felt was more like Harper: likable if given a push away from people like Kate. I wish we had gotten more closer around what Harper's next move was in terms of her 'friendships' with Margo and Kate and how the realizations she had made at camp would impact her at home. It would have been nice to have some closure around that situation.
***

Overall, I'd say it's a great summer read and I would definitely recommend picking it up if you're looking for a fun beach read. I know I'll definitely be looking into this other book that takes place at Whispering Pines.

Recommendations:
The Art of Lainey - Paula Stokes
Belles - Jen Calonita
My Life Next Door - Huntley Fitzpatrick
Biggest Flirts - Jennifer Echols

Rating:
4 out of 5 Doxies - Definitely worth a read, an author you can count on for a satisfying read!

[Chapter by Chapter · Rating 3 out of 5]

With summer breaking’s end nearing, all of us teens are looking for something to do. For some of us (or people like me who are located too far north to be given direct sun exposure all year round) we’re trying to soak up what rays of sun we can before the season changes and school starts up again. What’s the best way to spend these lazy summer days? By reading a book set in the summertime as well!

I wasn’t entirely sure of what to expect from author Jen Calonita’s, Summer State of Mind, but I did see a lot of hype for it online and naturally got curious. It wasn’t at all what I expected. Which isn’t a bad thing. Summer State of Mind was very fresh, new and unlike any of the summertime YA novels I’ve had the opportunity to read.

All that fifteen-year-old Harper McAllister can’t wait for is the summertime. This summer she should be heading out on a vacation with her best friends, lounging all day, spending all the money on their rich father’s credit cards, doing the typical things that girls like them do. Notice how I said ‘should’? That’s because when Harper’s parents receive an obscene credit-card bill from their daughter it’s bye, bye lazy summer vacay and hello to camp.

Harper is a total outsider at the camp. Nobody seems to really like her and despite her best efforts she just can’t fit in. That doesn’t deter her one bit. Then there’s Ethan whose eye she’s somehow managed to catch. With a bit of hard work and attempting thing she’s never done before, this summer might not turn out so terrible for Harper after all.

The writing in Summer State of Mind is very simplistic and paints an easy picture in the reader’s mind. It isn’t hard to tell what’s going on and the way that the novel is written makes it easy to turn pages without even noticing that you’re just zooming through the book. Summer State of Mind is a novel that is easy to get caught up in because, in spite of everything, you do want to know how Harper will turn out and if she’ll get the boy and finally accomplish all of her goals.

What first got me interested in Summer State of Mind was the fact that (like myself) Harper is only fifteen years old. No biggie. Sounds cool to be in the head of somebody my own age. I’ll admit that at first when I started the novel I definitely thought that she was a realistic teen but as the novel progressed that belief did begin to slip and falter. There are certain scenes that totally pulled off Harper acting her age, but then there were others that had me shaking my head. For people who aren’t within Harper’s own age demographic (15-18) they might not be able to relate completely, for readers who are tweens Harper’s adventures will probably be more relatable and entertaining.

Summer State of Mind is a good read. The only thing that took away from my experience was the above. Harper does a lot of things that—no matter how rich you are—are just plain dumb. Common-sense type things that just had me turned off a lot. That and the use of calling her father McDaddy which was kind of McCreepy to read.

I would recommend Summer State of Mind to any readers who are looking for a novel that is still funny, light and a quick summer read. Any readers who are in that middle grade/junior high age-group will probably have a very fun time with Summer State of Mind.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Summer State of Mind" is an entertaining light romance for middle-grade readers—a middle-grade beach-read.

The protagonist, Harper, daughter of suddenly successful music producer she calls "McDaddy" and her more down-to-earth twin brother, Kyle, go to Camp Whispering Pines for the summer instead of spending money and going to fabulous resorts. Kyle's cool with that—he loves sports—but Harper is so not the camping type. She's not thrilled, either, with the idea of missing her best friends Kate and Margo. When she gets there, she discovers both positives and negatives about camp, the campers, and about herself and her friends at home. The ups and downs en route to discovery, though, are sometimes pretty bumpy.

The book is engaging and readers will recognize the characters from both the author's previous Whispering Pines book ("Sleepaway Girls") and from people they've met. Not everything about them, or about the story, is convincing, and occasionally the unlikeliness of the characters' language is somewhat painful, as are a couple of events and occurrences that are a little too pat or which require the reader to ignore something they probably know from life experience. A bit too much exposition at times—explaining baldly what would more naturally be inferable from the actions of the characters—can take one out of the protagonist's point of view, and, for some readers, right out of the story, but many readers may not mind, and may also be unfazed by the present-tense narration.

In some respects the book is very like "Sleepaway Girls," the first Whispering Pines book, which contains some of the same characters. It's fun re-meeting some of those kids and seeing what they're doing now. But some of the new characters in "Summer" are a lot like those of the earlier book, as are the lessons learned and much of the plot. It is still fun, and it's always good to see the right girl get the right boy, and (the mostly) good triumph over (the unpleasantly rather) evil.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jen Calonita's Secrets of My Hollywood Life series was one of my favorite book series growing up. I absolutely loved her writing so I wanted to see what else she has been working on. While I have grown up a little now, I do continuously read YA. Unfortunately it seems like I've grown away from Jen Calonita's writing.

Summer State of Mind is a companion book to Sleepaway Girls, which I did not read but did not need to read in order to understand this novel. I haven't read many books about summer camps but this one seems like the few I've known: A girl doesn't want to go and ends up learning a lot about herself by the end of the summer. Unfortunately, most of the characters in this book were predictable and cookie cutter, not like the ones from her other series. I really didn't like Harper and thought that she was getting the summer that she deserved. Honestly, I don't care if a character has an interest in fashion, but I don't think all fashionable girls need to suddenly turn airheaded. Everyone in the book kept referring to how the 'old Harper' would have done things, but I have no idea what old Harper was like. I don't know if she liked to drop name brands as often as she does during Summer State of Mind. I don't know if she would have been smart enough not to wear heels when she was going ziplining. Who does that?

While I do think that this book was predictable and didn't enjoy it myself, I'm giving it an extra star because I feel like younger girls (younger than fifteen; I'm not certain girls Harper's age would enjoy reading this) might like the simple story as a nice summer read. There's nothing special or memorable about this book but if you're looking for something to take to the beach where you won't have to follow a complicated plot or complex characters, you could pick up Summer State of Mind.

I still hope to enjoy Calonita's writing in the future but these companion books are just not doing it for me.

[Princess Bookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Thoughts: This was such a cute followup to Sleepaway Girls! I liked the new plot and the new set of characters.

We are introduced to Harper who is popular. She hasn't always been the way she is. She has two best friends and one of them brings out the snobbish girl in her. She also has a brother.

Harper’s parents are sick of her being a brat so they send her off to a camp that her father went too when he was younger. They think this will kick Harper into high gear on becoming a better human being.

Harper gets to camp and realizes the boy her group wasn't so nice too is also there. His name is Ethan and he’s a lifer. He goes there every summer. Harper realizes there is so much more to Ethan than she realized.

I loved seeing everything Harper had to do. I loved seeing her get all muddy. And there there were so many funny moments. I also really liked Ethan. And I’m glad he gave Harper the benefit of the doubt and became her friend. She also meets a few other people along the way that were interesting.

I loved how much camp changed Harper and how much she grew up. She realized who her true friends were.

Overall: This was a fun novel! But also had some real good life lessons. I loved how funny some of the moments were and what Harper had to endure. It was fun to watch! I’d probably give this between a 3.5 and 4 cupcake rating!

Cover: Like it! I’d probably pick it up in a store to see what it was about.

What I’d Give It: 4/5 Cupcakes
______________
Taken From Princess Bookie
www.princessbookie.com

[eden5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

NON SPOILER REVIEW:
I give it more a 4.5 than 5 stars.
This book is so cute! The perfect summer read!! It made me laugh and smile so many times!! :)
I really recommend this book to anyone who likes contempary, summery reading!
But I recommend reading the first book in this series first, because some of the characters reappear in this one!! Also the first book is also really Really GOOD!
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SPILER REVIEW:(I recommend reading it if you read the first one, because it may spoil a little bit)
I LOVE this book! I loved that we got to see the Whispering Pines camp again!! And also I liked that we got to see Courtney, Cole and Sam. I was a little bit dissapointed that Sam amd Cole broke up, but it wasn't the main plot so it was ok :)
At first I didn't like very much Harper, but the more she showed us her true self I liked her more! In the end all the things she done always was from caring for people!
Also, I really like her twin brother - Kyle- he was so cute and very funny!!
I think in this book you can see how the characters really developed and grow through the story! I loved all the characters, beside Jeanie and camilla, who just did what jeanie did. haha Also, kate, she was really mean and I was happy that harper realized that in the end!
And may I said how much cute Ethan was??
for example:
"He smiles. "Now that we're together, I'll be able to keep a piece of summer with me all year long""
That was such a cute moment!!! :)))

PLEASE WRITE A THIRED BOOK IN THIS SERIES, PLEASE?? Jen?
I need another story in the Whispering Pines!!

[Erin Cataldi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not going to sugarcoat it, I HATED, HATED .... the main character for the first few chapters. Like full on loathed her skinny, little bitchy self. She was rich, spoiled, and hung out with other privileged little white fifteen year old brats. Thankfully her mom and dad decide their dearest daughter needs a reality check after she blew several THOUSAND dollars on her AMEX card. A fifteen year old spending thousands at couture shops, spas, private lessons, and fancy dining. Really?!?! Anyway ma and pa ship Harper and her twin brother off to a sleepaway camp in the middle of nowhere for a dose of reality. Her adventure seeking brother Kyle loves it, but Harper can't stand it. Her wedges aren't good for hiking, her hair can't adjust to the humidity, and she can't text! Oh no! What's a girl to do?!? Most campers immediately dislike Harper, dubbing her Camping Barbie. She makes one good friend though and surprisingly starts to have a good time. Maybe life isn't all about the superficial stuff, maybe her parents did know what's best for her.

The story is thoroughly predictable, but still enjoyable. It's the perfect beach read. It's fast, breezy, and doesn't require much thinking. It's the second in a "series" but this novel focuses on a different character and different year than the first (Sleepaway Girls), only the setting is the same.

I received this book for free from Librarything in return for my honest, unbiased review.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by Jen Calonita. I enjoyed reading the second book in the Whispering Pines Series. I will be looking to see if my library has a copy of the first book Sleepaway girls.

Summer State of Mind is the story about a girl named Harper. Her father is in the music industry and creates music videos. Harper is different since the family has moved to a more elite area. Her father is not happy with her spending habits. You see this early on when she is out with her 'friends' Kate and Margo. Kate begs Harper to buy these shirts for the 3 of them.

When Harper gets home her father informs her that she and her brother Kyle will be going to camp. The camp they are going to is Whispering Pines, where there father used to go in the Catskills. Harper is not happy because she is leaving her friends and the plans they had made.

The adventures that Harper encounters when she first arrives. She is wearing heels and looks more like she should be sitting around a pool instead of getting ready to hike and go down a zipline. Harper is a girl who doesn't know her real self anymore. She has tried to fit in with the popular girls Kate, who is just a user. It takes Harper the whole time she is away to realize what Kate is really like. She discovers that she really does like Whispering Pines and the friends that she has made Lina and Ethan. Her brother even notices the change in his sister and loves her more now.

[TheLizWay · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Okay, collecting my thoughts... Alright, Summer State of Mind was mostly an airy, fluffy read that was great for the summer. There wasn't really any "big cliff hangers," or deep, dark, dangerous secrets in Summer State of Mind, it was just a nice relaxing summer read. It was exactly what a summer read should be.

Why it made a good summer read, was because I didn't have to immediately finish the book, I could just read it at a leisurely pace. What I mean is that especial during the summer, when I want equal parts outdoor activities and parts indoor reading, I want a book that I can put down and come back to when I want. I'm not pressed to finish it, because I want to know what happens next.

On the topic of Summer State of Mind, why does Ethan like Harper? She's bratty, self centered, and frankly annoying. The epilogue also bothered me, it showed everyone happy and joyful. But wait, didn't the last chapter before the epilogue show that too? Why repeat it, I already know that everyone is happy. I wanted the author to show what Harper did with McKenzie when she got home. For all we know, Harper could have gone back to her slightly brattier self when she got home.

If my review peeked your interest, you can find me at  Urban Girl Book Review.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harper McAllister is one credit card bill overdue for a reality check.

When McDaddy (yes, she really calls him that) sees how much money she's been spending and realizes how far she's stepped away from the old Harper, he sends her to Whispering Pines with her brother Kyle. Kyle was my favorite part of the book. He's annoying, insufferable, and Harper's exact opposite, but he also cares about her in that way that only brothers do. The twin dynamic was pretty entertaining.

We also get to see some old characters. Same and Court are counselors together. Apparently, Same and Cole are "just friends" now and "only dated for three months." Okay then.

A couple names are mentioned that you'll recognize if you read the Secrets of My Hollywood Life series. (The names Kaitlin Burke and Alexis Holden ring any bells?)

Catching up with the gang at Whispering Pines was fun. Nothing has changed a bit. This book is the very definition of a summer read.

[Valerie (Reader of books. Enthralled by Words.) · Rating 3 out of 5]

After listening to the audiobook, I realized that I don't really love this book. 2.5/5 stars.


I will admit that I did not think I was going to like this book; I just don't really choose books that are about fifteen year old but I was wrong about this book, it was way better than the first one. I actually wish that this was a standalone novel and it had nothing to do with the other novel because that's the only part that I didn't like. I understand that time has passed but it all just made the first book seem irrelevant to me.

It was such a fun read that was just so clever. I loved everything (else) about this book. The characters were developed well and it wasn't just the first book with new characters. I loved the message in the book and it really just made me remember why I love Jen Calonita.

Great!

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored Sleepaway Girls and when I saw this was the companion book I had to grab it. If you haven't read the first, don't fret, you will still get so much out of this book anyways.
Harper is adoreable and she's trying to fit into her new life now that her dad is McDaddy after producing a video with an emerging pop star that went viral.
Harpers friends are the problem and she's spending hundreds of dollars at a time and her parents ship her off to Whispering Pines for the summer so she can see that they are not the right thing for her.
Naturally she freaks, which is part of the fun, and her overpacking is just comical.
But eventually she gets in the spirit and loves camp and her new friends. It made me feel like I really went to summer camp after finishing this book, and I think anyone will fall for Harper and all the characters.

[Kelly Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to go to camp, well, Jen Calonita's camp anyway. When Harper's spending habits (more like the spending habits of the popular girl Harper wants remain friends with) get out of control, her father sends her (and her athletic twin Kyle) to camp. The same camp he went to as a kid. So, bedazzler in hand, Harper find herself in the sticks, away from her city friends and trapped for weeks in the woods. One benefit, though, Ethan, the cute boy from school, happens to be at camp, too.

It's kind of hard to enjoy this book at first, Harper's friend Kate is a pain and, honestly, Harper's a bit of a mushy mop at first. But the farther I got into camp, the more I wanted to see Harper make friends, get out of her comfort zone and succeed. I admit, like Harper, I might have been kicking and screaming in the beginning, but by the end I really wanted to go to camp.

[Wisty · Rating 5 out of 5]

7/30/13
YES! Thank the lord. I'm so happy there's a #2!


Read on 4/25/14
I wish there were 50 million of these books set at Whispering Pines, because I cannot get enough of them. I mean, that was amazing and funny and it's the only time in my life when I want to go to sleepaway camp! And the characters from Sleepaway Girls made some great appearances, which made me very happy. Although I dislike the fact that a main thing that happened in Sleepaway Girls is no longer a thing! No spoilers, but it feels like a big part of the first book's plot was for nothing. Regardless, I loved this book!

[Laura Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harper's father, McDaddy has recently become one of the most successful producers of music videos. This has meant changes for the family - a move to a ritzy suburb, cooks and housekeepers, and a lot more cash to go around.

As one might expect, some 16 year-olds cannot control their spending. Harper goes way overboard and her father decides to send her to the summer camp he attended in order give her distance from her new friends and ground her in reality. Things aren't all smooth sailing for Camping Barbie, but readers will enjoy spending the summer with her and her friends.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read every single one of Jen's books, and was unable to put any of them down the day I got it. This one was no exception. I started reading it this afternoon and finished it in the same afternoon. I loved the characters and the storyline. I've been a fan of Jen's since I was in middle school (maybe even before that, since whenever the second or third Secrets of My Hollywood Life book came out) and now as an 18 year old high school senior, I'm still reading and loving her books:)

[Kitsuné · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

Can I start first by saying, McDaddy???

There’s our opening sentence ladies and gents, a word that bothered me throughout the entire book that I used my entire mental energy to block it out and replace it with a nice basic ‘dad’.

There was some creativity spun to having McAllister as your dad’s name but mcdaddy just ain’t it girl 😭

Anw, ONWARDS.

This book in short is, fun, summery vibes! I love Camp Books especially since I wasn’t gifted an opportunity to camp before (but otherwise camping where I live does sound unappealing), so books like this have my heart. Especially when it’s written well!

This is definitely like something out of a Disney Movie (but luckily it didn’t touch the cringy level like Camp Rock did - no hate i loved Camp Rock once upon a time but it got cringier).

>•>•>•>>>
I’ve seen multiple hate reviews on the MC for being such a spoiled brat and I’ve got a few things of my own to say. I do appreciate a pov from a spoiled girl (even though it was pretty hard to sit through), but the whole point is to watch how she progresses through character development (which she did splendidly) but otherwise I’ve got a bit of beef with her “privileged” attitude.

She originally came from the boonies right and then success knocks on their door and they’re hella rich! She lives opposite JLo for goodness sake (and that was all the rage back then). But only a measly two years into luxury, and Harper completely forgot herself?? Like she damn straight sounds and spends like she was born in gold and silver? I don’t buy it at all. So that’s Beef #1.

>•>•>•>>>
I’m sorry I don’t see a lot of people talking about this, (in regards to the first book), but what the f bros…what did I read the first book for, only to find out that the 2 main leads broke up in the second??? What was the point!!! JAIL!!!

- I had to retype this section bc the I accidentally swiped up and the page disappeared without saving…i’m mad. I can’t remember much. -

>•>•>•>>>
Let’s talk about Ethan for a bit. He’s nothing special really, just cute like a little trophy. But get this. I read this book to the end to see how their romance progressed, and I really enjoyed the little bits of enemies > lovers vibes going on, BUT, Mrs Calonita committed a crime! She deadass just skipped a chapter on confessions, bc Ethan and Harper really went from smiling cutely to e/o in the first, to kissing comfortably and acting all couple-y in the next! Does this make sense!!! That was the best part…*throws book*

>•>•>•>>>
My final beef point is the camp itself. At the start. Where is the orientation?? The management was all over the place, from how the kids come in herds and they get immediately dragged into different kind of activities?? Zip-lining from the start??? It was real messy for sure. It’d def be better if the scope of activities weren’t crazy big or we could instead just have a more zoomed in scenes on each activity.

>•>•>•>>>
One teeny tiny point I just wanna get out there, are the bullies Real? Like do these characters really exist in camps?? Because wow I would love to knock them down a peg or two…which also brings me back to, ‘How Harper Tolerates Kate’. The girl’s a menace and should be called Karen instead. If Harper had any conscience she’d leave her no excuses.

Anw! this book is a light and easy read for when your brain batteries are drained. I would definitely like a more in depth look into relationships and camp activities itself.

[Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first book in this series and was surprised to learn ten years later that Jen Calonita wrote a sequel.

As much as I wanted to return to Whispering Pines I was disappointed. I'm so sorry, Jen Calonita. I wanted to like this one much more then I actually did.

First, the MFC was kind of hard to like. She was different. And the whole point of the story is to like people for who they are, but also being who you are doesn't mean that you can be mean to people or allow others to be mean to others. But Harper was still really hard to like. Despite that, I did find myself rooting for her. I guess that's something.

Ethan, the MMC, was well written. Although, I did think that him falling for Harper was really fast. There was a lot of left out of the books of what happened that summer so I'm assuming that they had many more moments together. But there was really no catalyst for me that made me think "wow! This is the moment that he sees how great she is." I wish there was more of those smaller moments where you can see an attraction and a relationship forming but it was just suddenly there and we're just supposed to pretend that we saw it happen.

I also get a huge ick over the fact that both Kyle and Harper called their dad "McDaddy." Jen Calonita explains why. But it doesn't erase the fact that two teenage kids call their dad "McDaddy" to their dad, mom, and all their friends. It was funny at first but as the book progressed I think it just got old and made you feel more creeped out.

However, this book is a really clean YA novel. It's perfect for a middle schooler who wants to start getting into YA romances. While, also being something that I enjoyed in my 20s (despite the flaws that are stated above). It's an easy read. And if your not nitpicky about books then I would recommend as a read when you just don't want to think too much about the plot but just let go.

The worst part of the book though: Jen, why would you write a whole book where Sam and Cole are fighting tooth and nail to be with each other only to have them date for a few months and then break up. Not only that but she had Cole's character come off more childish, and more like Hunter, then he was in the first book. Most of the original readers of "The Sleepaway Girls" came to see the old characters, but you had Cole and Sam split up, and only half of the original characters appear in the background. This is the part where I got to that made it hard for me to want to finish reading the book.

[Hailey Vittrup · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me smile. The second (and last) in a summer camp series, it felt like I had never left. Maybe this was in part because of the close proximity of when I read both books... All of that to say, I enjoyed getting to know the camp from another character’s perspective, and I ultimately liked this book even better than the first. The nice thing about this series is that it has this completely nostalgic throwback feeling throughout its entirety. I truly felt like I was 15 again and trying to fit in and appreciated the 2000s pop culture references and the way that everyone was still figuring out what they wanted to do with their lives. Ultimately, summers when you are still young are meant to be fun and stress-free, and while that wasn’t exactly how it was for everyone, it was simultaneously real. Sam and Cole from book one are in this book, and the reader gets an idea of where they stand at what seems to be a couple summers after the original book took place. I have to say, the characters in this book were more relatable and real and three-dimensional and I enjoyed reading about the relationship that the twins had with each other, as it was a good representation of a brother-sister twin contrast. I felt somewhat sad as the book and series came to a close, but I felt like I was ready to say goodbye to camp for the summer and embrace fall and a whole bunch of new books. It’s always nice to read Jen Calonita’s books for a break from real life, as she is such a talented writer with a great sense of humor. I am happy that I still have more of her books to read. I rated this one 5/5 and would recommend it to anyone missing camp and wanting to relive a little bit of the 2000s and who just wants to smile at the end. 😊

[Allura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as 15 year old Harper thinks she is free for summer and torture free with no school, her most recent credit card bill throws her a loop. This is what put harper's Dad over the top and threw her a curve ball for the summer. Harper's father has been very successful in his producing job providing the family with an abundant amount of money, and allowing them to move to LA. Along with this city comes great competition between people and their flashiness/showing off, for a 15 year old this is a very big thing. As Harper tries to keep up with everyone and fit in, she ends up changing all together and her father doesn’t not appreciate this change. In result, her father's way to fix this and bring back the old Harper is of course, summer camp. At his time this is probably the worst thing a 15 could hear then and she was dreading everything about it. Although, this camp doesn’t end up being the experience she expected. Indeed she had been very stubborn in the beginning, this summer camp brought her through new friendships, life lessons, taught her new hobbies, high school love, etc. This shows one that people should be open to anything, because you never know what you’re going to get out of it. I would most definitely recommend this book because not only is it a very fun interesting book, but some people could even relate to this now a days.

I would recommend this book in a heart beat. As you read along you get sucked in and feel like you are living life through harper's eyes. Many people today can also relate to harper's certain situations which I think helps keep us in because its so realistic and we can understand. I enjoyed the time harper is in he summer camp because life lessons are learned all around, people reading can see that and realize those can help them too.

[Victoria Gibney · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Contains the story line in it! Don't read this review if you want to stay spoiler-free!)
Summer State of Mind is my favorite book. I’ve never been to a camp, but this makes me want to go to one every time I read it. The diverse characters give the book an overall vibe of unity because of how their friendships interlock. I’ve read Summer State of Mind at least 10 times. It has something to it that keeps on bringing me back.

This book’s characters include the main character, Harper, and her friends during her summer break when she gets sent to a summer camp. Each character is different in their own way. Harper would prefer tanning on the beach than rock climbing, while her companion, Lina, is the total opposite. She’s the outgoing, sporty friend. Harper’s twin brother, Kyle, is the typical annoying brother that you can’t help but adore and enjoy. Kyle’s friend Ethan is also who Harper’s falling for in the story.

Jen Calonita’s writing style is captivating with how the story flows. Summer State of Mind is for any girl who needs a good book to read on a plane, by the pool, or anywhere, anytime of year. It can remind you of summer camp memories all year round.

The story starts out with Harper and her friend from back home. When Harper’s parents see how much she’s spent with her credit card, her father decides to ship her away to a summer camp he used to go to when he was a kid. At first she hates it there because wearing her favorite shoes can get them ruined, and wearing her favorite dress can get it ripped. All she needs is to take things slow, and as Jen Calonita said, “she might just find a whole new summer state of mind.”

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book I read was Summer State of Mind by Jen Calonita. The genre of this book is fiction. This book is about a girl named Harper that had her life changed because her dad became a big-time producer. She has a really bad shopping problem she spent s ton of money on stupid things. She also has these two best friends from her home and one of them is kinda fake. Her dad ends up sending her and her twin brother to a summer camp that he went to when he was a kid. But when she gets there everyone judges her for the way she looks so they call her Barbie because she likes to do hair and makeup. When they all first meet her they thought she was annoying because she is much different than them. But then that all changes when she meets her soon to be camp best friend Lena. Then she starts to like this boy named Ethan and she really likes him. The camp wants to enter this contest to have a music video for London blue at the camp. Then Harper messes it up and everyone gets really upset with her but she makes it put and everyone starts to like her again. I liked this book I think would rate the book an 8 out of 10. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good teen story.