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Summer Confessions
Young Adult Contemporary
Macy Diaz has managed childhood friend Jeb Porter’s crush for years. However, his infatuation turns to obsession, even putting a kid in the hospital just for hitting on her. In the past, Macy brushed it off, explained his bizarre acts away. But now she harbors a secret. She’s in love…with Jeb’s sister, Rachel.
By some miracle, Rachel loves Macy back, and despite the small minds polluting their sleepy southern town, they’re sticking together. Unfortunately, making sure Jeb never grows suspicious proves harder every day—until everything falls apart.
As a sick, unstable Jeb starts to threaten all Macy values, she is reminded of what has always been perfectly clear. Macy belongs to him, only him, and he won’t let her go. Ever.
If only Macy could’ve loved Jeb, she wouldn’t have to worry about surviving him now.
Macy Diaz has managed childhood friend Jeb Porter’s crush for years. However, his infatuation turns to obsession, even putting a kid in the hospital just for hitting on her. In the past, Macy brushed it off, explained his bizarre acts away. But now she harbors a secret. She’s in love…with Jeb’s sister, Rachel.
By some miracle, Rachel loves Macy back, and despite the small minds polluting their sleepy southern town, they’re sticking together. Unfortunately, making sure Jeb never grows suspicious proves harder every day—until everything falls apart.
As a sick, unstable Jeb starts to threaten all Macy values, she is reminded of what has always been perfectly clear. Macy belongs to him, only him, and he won’t let her go. Ever.
If only Macy could’ve loved Jeb, she wouldn’t have to worry about surviving him now.
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2015
7 people are currently reading
641 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Vroman
10 books389 followersBorn in Pennsylvania, Lynn spent most of her childhood, especially during math class, daydreaming. Today, she spends an obscene amount of time in her head, only now she writes down all the cool stuff.
With a degree in English Literature, Lynn used college as an excuse to read for four years straight. She lives in the Pocono Mountains with her husband, raising the four most incredible human beings on the planet. She writes young adult novels.
With a degree in English Literature, Lynn used college as an excuse to read for four years straight. She lives in the Pocono Mountains with her husband, raising the four most incredible human beings on the planet. She writes young adult novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 6, 2015
To be completely honest with you guys, I’m not the kind of reader that can stumble across a book with an unfortunate cover and just know without a shadow of a doubt that the book is a diamond in the rough waiting to be discovered. In fact, when I signed up for the book blitz for Summer Confessions, I didn’t bother to sign up for the review slot because I knew I wouldn’t be interested in reading it. I found out how wrong I was when I was finally given my excerpts and giveaway info for the book blast. Suddenly I just had to read it and hurried to email the author to plead a review copy from her.
Summer Confessions turned out to be a wickedly addictive adventure of two girls caught between a rock and a hard place when they learn just how difficult it is to keep a secret in a small, southern town with a pair of not-so-mentally-stable eyes obsessively glued to Macy.
❝I hear it’s contagious. You know, the gay? It rubs right off when someone touches the skin of an infected person.❞
When I was younger and terrified of scary movies, I would watch them through the cracks of my fingers. I had moments where I wished it was possible to do so while reading Summer Confessions. People are notorious for ignoring a problem until it becomes too big to tuck out of site, and it was difficult to watch Macy do that very thing in her love for Jeb’s sister, Rachel. It was difficult not to shout at my NOOK when I just knew she was being an idiot, not realizing how dangerous Jeb had become in his obsession with her. Macy could be an infuriating main character, but what really sold me was her close relationship with her grandfather. I have a similar one with mine and honestly wouldn’t know what I would do without him.
❝I don’t know if you realize this, but I’ve never-ever-loved another human being the way I loved you.❞
Summer Confessions was a weird mixture of adorable and suspense. Even though I found a lot of the plot predictable, I fell in love with the main characters and Ana (love me some badass best friend advice). Maybe this wasn’t the most surprising plot line and the writing wasn’t as beautiful or poetic in comparison to a lot of popular authors saturating the young adult market these days, but Summer Confessions was utterly riveting. I can see myself re-reading this over and over. I give Vroman props for stepping out of the heterosexual YA romance novel. She’s definitely earned a new fan in this curvy reader.
Summer Confessions turned out to be a wickedly addictive adventure of two girls caught between a rock and a hard place when they learn just how difficult it is to keep a secret in a small, southern town with a pair of not-so-mentally-stable eyes obsessively glued to Macy.
❝I hear it’s contagious. You know, the gay? It rubs right off when someone touches the skin of an infected person.❞
When I was younger and terrified of scary movies, I would watch them through the cracks of my fingers. I had moments where I wished it was possible to do so while reading Summer Confessions. People are notorious for ignoring a problem until it becomes too big to tuck out of site, and it was difficult to watch Macy do that very thing in her love for Jeb’s sister, Rachel. It was difficult not to shout at my NOOK when I just knew she was being an idiot, not realizing how dangerous Jeb had become in his obsession with her. Macy could be an infuriating main character, but what really sold me was her close relationship with her grandfather. I have a similar one with mine and honestly wouldn’t know what I would do without him.
❝I don’t know if you realize this, but I’ve never-ever-loved another human being the way I loved you.❞
Summer Confessions was a weird mixture of adorable and suspense. Even though I found a lot of the plot predictable, I fell in love with the main characters and Ana (love me some badass best friend advice). Maybe this wasn’t the most surprising plot line and the writing wasn’t as beautiful or poetic in comparison to a lot of popular authors saturating the young adult market these days, but Summer Confessions was utterly riveting. I can see myself re-reading this over and over. I give Vroman props for stepping out of the heterosexual YA romance novel. She’s definitely earned a new fan in this curvy reader.
You made it to the end! If you enjoyed my review, please consider giving it a thumbs up on Amazon *HERE* Thank you for all that you do! ❤
August 1, 2015
I received a copy via net galley.
I was super excited to receive a ARC of this because I love when authors take a chance with YA and write about the main characters falling for the same sex. Because when I was that age I struggled a lot and never had books about this kinda stuff growing up. So it always makes me sorta giddy that teens today have a much broader romance reading selection. Anywho, I really enjoyed this story it's a real southern charmer, cute, fun, and summery. It might not be for some people do to the story being really southern twang, so the characters talk a bit weird but it was fun since I grew up there so it was like going back home Ina sense. Hope to see more from this author.
I was super excited to receive a ARC of this because I love when authors take a chance with YA and write about the main characters falling for the same sex. Because when I was that age I struggled a lot and never had books about this kinda stuff growing up. So it always makes me sorta giddy that teens today have a much broader romance reading selection. Anywho, I really enjoyed this story it's a real southern charmer, cute, fun, and summery. It might not be for some people do to the story being really southern twang, so the characters talk a bit weird but it was fun since I grew up there so it was like going back home Ina sense. Hope to see more from this author.
March 3, 2015
This book was provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thanks!
4.5
I would say this is half teen romance, half simmering thriller—I certainly spent a good chunk of the second half tense and on the edge of my seat, knowing something bad had to be just around the corner (which is, honestly, one of my favorite states of mind).
The writing was incredibly good. The story, the narrative—all of it. Macy's a teenager in Tennessee, and I had her voice in my head from page two: smart-teenage girl, with a strong southern accent and a stronger southern voice. She called her mama "woman," and her best friend called her "sugar," and I'll admit to a lot of Friday Night Lights (the TV show) imagery floating around my head throughout the book, even though it wasn't quite the same thing. It's been a while since I spent any time in the South, and that was on a college campus, but with lines like "Pawpaw could hear a snail fart at ten years" and "You ain't southern if you don't spend at least half the summer sitting around a fire," it all felt very authentic. And I have to say that I'm super glad the author didn't sling the dialect at us by relying on spelling—i.e., by abusing things like sayin' and leavin'; the Macy-appropriate ain'ts and other southern-appropriate vocabulary were more than enough to get my imagination whirling.
The whole teenage experience was really well done, too. I got frustrated with Macy a few times, but only because I'm looking back at teenage behavior with a whole bunch of years of experience under my belt. I did plenty of questionable, frustrating, and not-so-smart stuff when I was seventeen—and she didn't do anything that I don't think I would have done, too. First love (and lust) makes you nuts, seriously (and this book shows both sides of that coin, in scary relief). She really felt like a teenager (though a smart one with a solid head on her shoulders) through the whole book, which I appreciate. I don't mind the occasional YA book starring teenagers who speak and act like they're in their twenties, but that wouldn't have fit this book at all.
Despite the antagonism, I liked Macy's relationship with her mother—or rather, I liked reading about it. It was interesting :) As Macy says, "It was hard taking her serious, seeing as we were only eighteen years apart. Telling on her was like snitching on my sister." Her grandfather was the solid structure in her family, tough but fair and commanding love and respect in equal measure. It's hard to write that kind of character without making them overbearing, but Papaw was good people, and I'm glad Macy had him.
I do wish there had been more Macy & Rachel pagetime. For all the book was about them, their relationship, Macy's feelings for Rachel, and the repercussions, we didn't get to see them together a whole lot. That's not to say page space was wasted on other things, or that I'd have liked filler scenes of just them (the book was well paced, although deeper into the second half, I got anxious for things to just happen already—but I think that was just the tension getting to me :)), but a little bit more of them, given the strength of Macy's feelings, would have been fun.
Overall, very enjoyable read about first love in a small town, and how what you think you're supposed to fear might not be the scary thing that gets you in the end.
4.5
I would say this is half teen romance, half simmering thriller—I certainly spent a good chunk of the second half tense and on the edge of my seat, knowing something bad had to be just around the corner (which is, honestly, one of my favorite states of mind).
The writing was incredibly good. The story, the narrative—all of it. Macy's a teenager in Tennessee, and I had her voice in my head from page two: smart-teenage girl, with a strong southern accent and a stronger southern voice. She called her mama "woman," and her best friend called her "sugar," and I'll admit to a lot of Friday Night Lights (the TV show) imagery floating around my head throughout the book, even though it wasn't quite the same thing. It's been a while since I spent any time in the South, and that was on a college campus, but with lines like "Pawpaw could hear a snail fart at ten years" and "You ain't southern if you don't spend at least half the summer sitting around a fire," it all felt very authentic. And I have to say that I'm super glad the author didn't sling the dialect at us by relying on spelling—i.e., by abusing things like sayin' and leavin'; the Macy-appropriate ain'ts and other southern-appropriate vocabulary were more than enough to get my imagination whirling.
The whole teenage experience was really well done, too. I got frustrated with Macy a few times, but only because I'm looking back at teenage behavior with a whole bunch of years of experience under my belt. I did plenty of questionable, frustrating, and not-so-smart stuff when I was seventeen—and she didn't do anything that I don't think I would have done, too. First love (and lust) makes you nuts, seriously (and this book shows both sides of that coin, in scary relief). She really felt like a teenager (though a smart one with a solid head on her shoulders) through the whole book, which I appreciate. I don't mind the occasional YA book starring teenagers who speak and act like they're in their twenties, but that wouldn't have fit this book at all.
Despite the antagonism, I liked Macy's relationship with her mother—or rather, I liked reading about it. It was interesting :) As Macy says, "It was hard taking her serious, seeing as we were only eighteen years apart. Telling on her was like snitching on my sister." Her grandfather was the solid structure in her family, tough but fair and commanding love and respect in equal measure. It's hard to write that kind of character without making them overbearing, but Papaw was good people, and I'm glad Macy had him.
I do wish there had been more Macy & Rachel pagetime. For all the book was about them, their relationship, Macy's feelings for Rachel, and the repercussions, we didn't get to see them together a whole lot. That's not to say page space was wasted on other things, or that I'd have liked filler scenes of just them (the book was well paced, although deeper into the second half, I got anxious for things to just happen already—but I think that was just the tension getting to me :)), but a little bit more of them, given the strength of Macy's feelings, would have been fun.
Overall, very enjoyable read about first love in a small town, and how what you think you're supposed to fear might not be the scary thing that gets you in the end.
February 29, 2016
I really enjoyed this one! Vroman had me hooked from the beginning and it was interesting to see how she balanced things between her family, friends and later the larger community. I would love to see a follow up story on Ana, she’s too cute and deserves someone too! Throughout the book, Macy struggles to completely become comfortable in her own skin. Fortunately, Pawpaw is on awesome grandfather and keeps the whole family grounded.
Another thing I appreciated was that though an LGBT book, it was not at the expense of the story or forced into the story. It was natural and if the roles of Jeb and Rachel had been switched it would have been an equally intriguing (and creepy at times!) read. I have certainly read a few recently that felt almost like if they threw in a LGBT aspect, it would salvage a so-so plotline. I’d definitely recommend this for all readers looking for a summer romance book.
Warning: Contains some violence
Who should read it? Folks looking for a non-traditional summer romance/coming-of-age book.
See all my reviews and more at www.ReadingToDistraction.com or @Read2Distract
Another thing I appreciated was that though an LGBT book, it was not at the expense of the story or forced into the story. It was natural and if the roles of Jeb and Rachel had been switched it would have been an equally intriguing (and creepy at times!) read. I have certainly read a few recently that felt almost like if they threw in a LGBT aspect, it would salvage a so-so plotline. I’d definitely recommend this for all readers looking for a summer romance book.
Warning: Contains some violence
Who should read it? Folks looking for a non-traditional summer romance/coming-of-age book.
See all my reviews and more at www.ReadingToDistraction.com or @Read2Distract
Read
November 18, 2015Not a ton to say on this one, because I'm so stuck on how misleading the cover is. The blurb is much clearer, so I wasn't so shocked about the content, but coming back to it after finishing the book (which ends at 93% after a cute epilogue) is really jarring. The book is pretty stalkerish and violent, and although it starts as adorably as the cover suggests, it's a pretty intense and scary read, and it feels more like a thriller than a sweet romance to me. But, it is f/f and does have a Puerto Rican MC, so if you've been looking for more YA featuring queer girls of color, it's worth noting. (Also worth mentioning this book is *very* southern, since that can be a huge draw or huge detractor for readers, I've noticed.)
June 29, 2015
I loved this book! The story never gets boring. There are so many twists and turns through the lives of Macy and Rachel that I couldn't stop reading. Perfect summer book. Fabulous!
July 6, 2015
A significant number of grownups out there appreciate and admire Young Adult literature. As a genre, it is generally unpretentious, honest and unafraid to examine creative or lesser explored areas of fiction. For this reason, I was genuinely looking forward to reading and reviewing this book, and I am pleased to say that I was not disappointed in the least.
At the heart of this novel is a simple and sweet romance between two teenage girls. Due to the recent Supreme Court ruling that has finally legalised gay marriage across all fifty states in America, I discovered this book at exactly the right time. The relationship between the two characters, Macy and Rachel, is earnest and touching; a perfect demonstration of how real love shouldn’t be subject to restriction or judgement. Unfortunately, this book has also refreshed in my mind the rather sad reality that despite recent legal progress, there still exist people on this planet so uninformed and misguided that they honestly believe that you can ‘catch gay’ from a handshake. Though beliefs and attitudes such as this seem more fitting to an older, less enlightened time, they still persist today. Vroman does the important job of reminding us of this and highlighting the struggles and prejudices regularly faced by certain people. Not only does Vroman address this reality, but she does so in such a way that as I read on, I got progressively more wound up on Macy’s behalf, seething in quiet anger during certain sections. This, bizarrely, is part of the reason I enjoyed reading the book so much – a great book should be able to manipulate your emotions like Play Doh.
The language used throughout the book is truly effective and immersive. The southern slang and way of speaking really make you feel part of the story. What makes this novel more than just a romance, however, are the elements of mystery, suspense and danger that emerge as the story presses on. The villain of the piece isn’t plain and two-dimensional. For various reasons, the reader can’t outright hate this character. Instead, your feelings of anger are mixed up with sadness and sympathy, making the story far more complicated and interesting than it otherwise may have been. This is definitely the book for you if you are looking for a multifaceted, engaging page-turner.
At the heart of this novel is a simple and sweet romance between two teenage girls. Due to the recent Supreme Court ruling that has finally legalised gay marriage across all fifty states in America, I discovered this book at exactly the right time. The relationship between the two characters, Macy and Rachel, is earnest and touching; a perfect demonstration of how real love shouldn’t be subject to restriction or judgement. Unfortunately, this book has also refreshed in my mind the rather sad reality that despite recent legal progress, there still exist people on this planet so uninformed and misguided that they honestly believe that you can ‘catch gay’ from a handshake. Though beliefs and attitudes such as this seem more fitting to an older, less enlightened time, they still persist today. Vroman does the important job of reminding us of this and highlighting the struggles and prejudices regularly faced by certain people. Not only does Vroman address this reality, but she does so in such a way that as I read on, I got progressively more wound up on Macy’s behalf, seething in quiet anger during certain sections. This, bizarrely, is part of the reason I enjoyed reading the book so much – a great book should be able to manipulate your emotions like Play Doh.
The language used throughout the book is truly effective and immersive. The southern slang and way of speaking really make you feel part of the story. What makes this novel more than just a romance, however, are the elements of mystery, suspense and danger that emerge as the story presses on. The villain of the piece isn’t plain and two-dimensional. For various reasons, the reader can’t outright hate this character. Instead, your feelings of anger are mixed up with sadness and sympathy, making the story far more complicated and interesting than it otherwise may have been. This is definitely the book for you if you are looking for a multifaceted, engaging page-turner.
April 3, 2016
Title: Summer Confessions
Author: Lynn Vroman
Publisher: Untold Press
ISBN: B00TQE806M
Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00T...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Macy Diaz has managed childhood friend Jeb Porter’s crush for years. However, his infatuation turns to obsession, even putting a kid in the hospital just for hitting on her. In the past, Macy brushed it off, explained his bizarre acts away. But now she harbors a secret. She’s in love…with Jeb’s sister, Rachel.
By some miracle, Rachel loves Macy back, and despite the small minds polluting their sleepy southern town, they’re sticking together. Unfortunately, making sure Jeb never grows suspicious proves harder every day—until everything falls apart.
As a sick, unstable Jeb starts to threaten all Macy values, she is reminded of what has always been perfectly clear. Macy belongs to him, only him, and he won’t let her go. Ever.
If only Macy could’ve loved Jeb, she wouldn’t have to worry about surviving him now.
Summary:
This was a well written book that covered many issues from YA coming of age, LGBT, to mental health problems. Macy has always known that her childhood friend Jeb had problems, but it didn't become apparent until recently how unstable he really was. Jeb's family somehow managed to keep it under wraps until his feelings for Macy drove him to violence. It didn't help that Macy's feelings for his sister Rachel were returned. Stuck in a small town where being gay would never be accepted with a brother determined to get what he wanted under any circumstances created a plot that didn't quit until the very end. One families determination to protect one of their own even in the face of a nightmarish outcome gave the story a real-to-life feeling as Macy and her friends struggled to protect each other. I very much enjoyed this book. The only issue I had was that there were a few times that there were scene changes form one page to the next without any kind of separation, but once I got used to the format it was fine.
Author: Lynn Vroman
Publisher: Untold Press
ISBN: B00TQE806M
Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00T...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Macy Diaz has managed childhood friend Jeb Porter’s crush for years. However, his infatuation turns to obsession, even putting a kid in the hospital just for hitting on her. In the past, Macy brushed it off, explained his bizarre acts away. But now she harbors a secret. She’s in love…with Jeb’s sister, Rachel.
By some miracle, Rachel loves Macy back, and despite the small minds polluting their sleepy southern town, they’re sticking together. Unfortunately, making sure Jeb never grows suspicious proves harder every day—until everything falls apart.
As a sick, unstable Jeb starts to threaten all Macy values, she is reminded of what has always been perfectly clear. Macy belongs to him, only him, and he won’t let her go. Ever.
If only Macy could’ve loved Jeb, she wouldn’t have to worry about surviving him now.
Summary:
This was a well written book that covered many issues from YA coming of age, LGBT, to mental health problems. Macy has always known that her childhood friend Jeb had problems, but it didn't become apparent until recently how unstable he really was. Jeb's family somehow managed to keep it under wraps until his feelings for Macy drove him to violence. It didn't help that Macy's feelings for his sister Rachel were returned. Stuck in a small town where being gay would never be accepted with a brother determined to get what he wanted under any circumstances created a plot that didn't quit until the very end. One families determination to protect one of their own even in the face of a nightmarish outcome gave the story a real-to-life feeling as Macy and her friends struggled to protect each other. I very much enjoyed this book. The only issue I had was that there were a few times that there were scene changes form one page to the next without any kind of separation, but once I got used to the format it was fine.
April 1, 2015
What I liked: This story is rooted in the emotions of the characters as the story moves along, and elicited not only joy but fear as well as the story went on for Macy because of Jeb. It's a rather realistic portrayal of not only how bad obsession over another person can take a horrifying turn, but also how coming out as a lesbian in such a small town as the one in the story can be a big deal and how people will treat you after learning if they're not open-minded. Jeb actually becomes a scary character as the story goes on, and the way he threatens Macy when he learns about how Rachel and Macy are together made me both angry for her and fearful of what he was going to do. Jeb was the perfect main antagonist for this story, and both Rachel and Macy were clearly doing their best with the situation they had been put in by living in such a small town with a brother who's obsession with Macy knew no bounds. Plus the dialect for the characters was really spot on to show where the characters lived. Macy's mother and grandfather were really good characters to and I enjoyed having them in the book.
What I didn't like: I didn't feel like despite how the summary seems to say the story revolves so much around Macy and her feelings for Rachel they weren't present enough in the story, not to say that everything else wasn't important but I wish that I had seen them more than I was able to.
Overall Review: Though I expected a much fluffier book because of the cover, this is actually a dark book at times because of the things that happen in it because of Jeb and the things he does. While there was a very compelling storyline and the book was paced well I wish there had been a little more focus on the romance since their romance was the main focus of the book in various ways. The way the characters act and speak clearly showed where they lived and where they had grown up and gave the story an authentic feel to the setting.
Recommend?: Yes! It was a compelling read and I really enjoyed it!
What I didn't like: I didn't feel like despite how the summary seems to say the story revolves so much around Macy and her feelings for Rachel they weren't present enough in the story, not to say that everything else wasn't important but I wish that I had seen them more than I was able to.
Overall Review: Though I expected a much fluffier book because of the cover, this is actually a dark book at times because of the things that happen in it because of Jeb and the things he does. While there was a very compelling storyline and the book was paced well I wish there had been a little more focus on the romance since their romance was the main focus of the book in various ways. The way the characters act and speak clearly showed where they lived and where they had grown up and gave the story an authentic feel to the setting.
Recommend?: Yes! It was a compelling read and I really enjoyed it!
May 4, 2015
A pretty good story but there where a couple things I didn't like about it also, I was given a copy of this book for review and will cover the good and bad in the spoilers. They will spoil the book if you have not read it.
all in all, it was a decent book and worth reading.
all in all, it was a decent book and worth reading.
March 16, 2015
From the cover, this book just looks like one of your average light-hearted and fluffy teen novels, the type where it's summer romances and friendships. Inside this book though, it tells a different story and one that I definitely did not see coming my way. The novel starts with introducing readers to Macy Diaz and her family which consists of her mother and grandad. We read as Macy heads out with her group of friends which include Ana - her best friend , Jeb - the guy who has had a crush on Macy for years and Rachel - Jeb's younger sister and that's when we get the first twist that this wasn't just a light-hearted teen fluffy tale as Macy turns out to be a lesbian and that it's not Jeb she has feelings for but his sister Rachel and of course since Rachel goes anywhere with Jeb, Macy puts up with Jeb and his advances and suggestions in order to spend more time around Rachel. During the novel , about halfway Rachel starts to reciprocate Macy's feelings and the two start a secret lesbian romance. Then near the end of the novel, tragedy strikes as Rachel is run off the road and lands in hospital. Rachel's family blames Macy as they were texting when the accident happened and in retailiation they fire Macy's mother which leaves Macy's family wondering how they will survive. Then comes the massive twist at the ending in which we discover who "really" caused the accident and why ? I shall leave the review with this as I don't want to ruin the momentual conclusion of Summer Confessions.
July 26, 2015
Summer Confessions is a wonderful story. It has all the makings of a great movie. It takes a look at the stereotypes and prejudices associated with same sex relationships, and it addresses the issue of mental illness. It is filled with drama and suspense, and I think it could be classified as a thriller.
This story has a special appeal to me, because it takes place in the Great Smokey Mountains of Tennessee. As a native of the area, it was nice to be able to read a book with its setting there.
Macy and Rachel face not only discrimination from their neighbors as they discover their feelings for one another, but they end up fighting for their very lives. Rachel's creepy, psychotic brother Jeb thinks he is in love with Macy, and he is willing to do anything to keep her all to himself.
The characters were great. Macy is spunky and determined. Rachel is timid and sweet. Ana, Macy's best friend, is sassy and fun. However, Macy's Papaw is my favorite. He isn't afraid of a little gossip, and he offers Macy his unconditional love and devotion.
If you are looking for a teen romance that offers more than romance, this is the book. It will definitely keep you on edge. I couldn't put it down. Great read!
This story has a special appeal to me, because it takes place in the Great Smokey Mountains of Tennessee. As a native of the area, it was nice to be able to read a book with its setting there.
Macy and Rachel face not only discrimination from their neighbors as they discover their feelings for one another, but they end up fighting for their very lives. Rachel's creepy, psychotic brother Jeb thinks he is in love with Macy, and he is willing to do anything to keep her all to himself.
The characters were great. Macy is spunky and determined. Rachel is timid and sweet. Ana, Macy's best friend, is sassy and fun. However, Macy's Papaw is my favorite. He isn't afraid of a little gossip, and he offers Macy his unconditional love and devotion.
If you are looking for a teen romance that offers more than romance, this is the book. It will definitely keep you on edge. I couldn't put it down. Great read!
March 26, 2015
I received this book from the author in exchange for a honest review.
I was super excited to read a young adult book about LGBT teens. There are not enough LGBT books in the ya range. I especially loved how the synopsis promised a thrilling read. I wasn't disappointed.
Macy Mae is our heroine. A Spanish-American country girl with a secret. Not only is she a lesbian, extremely frowned upon in her small town, but she's always been in love with Rachel, Jeb's younger sister. The issue? Jeb is madly in love with Macy Mae.
This story is very character driven. There is so much passion from Macy as she fights for her love. Emotions were so high in this book, you can really get the fear from all the characters. I was so angry reading how the town treated Macy after they discovered she was gay. However, is very realistic from what could be expected from a small town.Jeb was a perfect villain. There was enough of his charming demeanor that lead you to believe that he could be a good guy.
It's hard to say more without spoiling all the twists and turns of the story. If you wary of sexual content, fear not. The kissing is very PG.I would recommend this book to others!
I was super excited to read a young adult book about LGBT teens. There are not enough LGBT books in the ya range. I especially loved how the synopsis promised a thrilling read. I wasn't disappointed.
Macy Mae is our heroine. A Spanish-American country girl with a secret. Not only is she a lesbian, extremely frowned upon in her small town, but she's always been in love with Rachel, Jeb's younger sister. The issue? Jeb is madly in love with Macy Mae.
This story is very character driven. There is so much passion from Macy as she fights for her love. Emotions were so high in this book, you can really get the fear from all the characters. I was so angry reading how the town treated Macy after they discovered she was gay. However, is very realistic from what could be expected from a small town.Jeb was a perfect villain. There was enough of his charming demeanor that lead you to believe that he could be a good guy.
It's hard to say more without spoiling all the twists and turns of the story. If you wary of sexual content, fear not. The kissing is very PG.I would recommend this book to others!
June 27, 2015
I have read and loved another book by Lynn Vroman, so I was really excited to read this one.
The relationship between Macy and Rachel is really cute and well done. I rooted so much for them and with every step back I felt so bad for them. It’s a really sweet first love story.
But the first half of the book I was so… angry at it. The way Jeb’s character was handled… that is not Jeb’s character but the way the other characters got along with him. The whole time I was reminded of persons who are abused by their partner but stay with them because they are so loveable when they are not in a hitting mood and without them, the abuser would be so unlucky.
Thankfully that changes! I nearly read the second half in one setting because I was so afraid for the characters and till the end you don’t know if it’s a happy or sad end.
Summer confessions has been sitting on my wishlist and thanks to Netgalley I got it as an ARC in exchange for a honest review. Thank you.
The relationship between Macy and Rachel is really cute and well done. I rooted so much for them and with every step back I felt so bad for them. It’s a really sweet first love story.
But the first half of the book I was so… angry at it. The way Jeb’s character was handled… that is not Jeb’s character but the way the other characters got along with him. The whole time I was reminded of persons who are abused by their partner but stay with them because they are so loveable when they are not in a hitting mood and without them, the abuser would be so unlucky.
Thankfully that changes! I nearly read the second half in one setting because I was so afraid for the characters and till the end you don’t know if it’s a happy or sad end.
Summer confessions has been sitting on my wishlist and thanks to Netgalley I got it as an ARC in exchange for a honest review. Thank you.
April 8, 2015
Check out the complete review at Views She Writes - WordPress Reviews
Summer Confessions is about a couple of young girls who understand their orientation and come forth with it. The story does not go typically about the issues faced for couples of same-sex. It is more of a stalker kind of story.
The character building in the story is really nice. Macy is shown as a confused teenager who did not know she is a lesbian till she developed feelings for her then-boyfriend’s sister, Rachel. Her boyfriend Jeb did not take this transition positively. The story is about how deranged Jeb gets and what all he does to try to win Macy back.
Although it is a love story between two girls, it is more of a coming-of-age kind of story. The innocence and simplicity of the two girls when they realize their feelings for each other is sweet.
Summer Confessions is about a couple of young girls who understand their orientation and come forth with it. The story does not go typically about the issues faced for couples of same-sex. It is more of a stalker kind of story.
The character building in the story is really nice. Macy is shown as a confused teenager who did not know she is a lesbian till she developed feelings for her then-boyfriend’s sister, Rachel. Her boyfriend Jeb did not take this transition positively. The story is about how deranged Jeb gets and what all he does to try to win Macy back.
Although it is a love story between two girls, it is more of a coming-of-age kind of story. The innocence and simplicity of the two girls when they realize their feelings for each other is sweet.
April 1, 2015
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review when I signed up to host the book tour.
This is the story of a young woman who lives with her mom and grandfather. She's had a secret crush for many years. However; this is not your typical teenage romance and I couldn't help myself from falling in love with this emotional and fast paced storyline that deals with sexual orientation and mental illness. Every single character was well developed and the story remained consistent from beginning to end. My expectations of this book went beyond what I could have ever imagined. It is truly the kind of story that years from now you will still remember fondly. This is a must read book and I look forward to reading more from this amazingly talented author.
{As posted on my blog: The Voluptuous Book Diva}
This is the story of a young woman who lives with her mom and grandfather. She's had a secret crush for many years. However; this is not your typical teenage romance and I couldn't help myself from falling in love with this emotional and fast paced storyline that deals with sexual orientation and mental illness. Every single character was well developed and the story remained consistent from beginning to end. My expectations of this book went beyond what I could have ever imagined. It is truly the kind of story that years from now you will still remember fondly. This is a must read book and I look forward to reading more from this amazingly talented author.
{As posted on my blog: The Voluptuous Book Diva}
March 28, 2015
FourStars
This is a quick read that is well written. There are alot of twist and turns and plenty of action to hold your attention.
I like how this book touches on mental ilness and just how serious it can be. As well as how difficult it can be coming out.
There are alot of ups and downs but in the end with love, determination and some good friends they are able to overcome it all and continue on with their dreams.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Amber
This is a quick read that is well written. There are alot of twist and turns and plenty of action to hold your attention.
I like how this book touches on mental ilness and just how serious it can be. As well as how difficult it can be coming out.
There are alot of ups and downs but in the end with love, determination and some good friends they are able to overcome it all and continue on with their dreams.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Amber
November 8, 2015
Summer Confessions was a great story. It sucked me in quickly and kept me going with some heart pounding moments. The only forewarning I would give is this, the title and cover scream quick, light story, but the main obstacle to their love makes it a much more intense read than that. Lesbian romance with a little bit of a thriller subplot.
February 25, 2015
I only rated this book with four stars because I found it extremely hard to relate to the characters because I'm not a lesbian. I really liked the character development, this author is really good at giving you a picture of the personalities of her characters. I loved how it was short and sweet.
April 6, 2015
A book that you will not be able to put down once you start! Fast paced and well written! Loveable characters and easy to escape into their lives. Emotional roller coaster ride as you're reading. Loved every minute of this book!
*Received for an honest review*
*Received for an honest review*
February 22, 2015
I received an ARC copy of this book...and I have to say I really liked it. it was a little different than I normally read. It had quite a bit of drama too. Lynn Vroman has written another great one.
Read
February 4, 2016Nice coming of age coming out story. Very good dialog, well written and some good laughs on a serious topic. Great characters of all types.
March 7, 2020
Super relevant in this worldwide enabling of violence against women
+ • + • + • +
Intimate violence is the overwhelming cause of death for women throughout this entire planet… meaning who a woman does & does not choose as a partner can determine whether she is murdered or not!! & this story is EXACTLY what happens when a society subscribes to the ideal that women are not, can not & should not be able, qualified or allowed to define, decide & control their own bodies, minds & lives with out a man's interference, insurgents or insistence!!!
What Macy & Rachel endured & appease wasn't about homophobia, but rather it was Jeb's outrage that Macy thought she could say no to him— which was realistically reinforced & entitled by his parents, especially his father, who blamed Macy for everything & denied Rachel's allegations while protecting & defending & avenging Jeb's violent reign of terror!!
In today's world, phrases like "breakup violence", "incel extremists", "victim blaming", "anti-abortion terrorism", "honour killings", "#metoo backlash", "grab em by the p*$$¥", "20 minutes of action" & predators, abusers & monsters of infamy like Larry Nassar, Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Boy Scouts of America, Southern Baptist Minstries, Catholic Archdiocese, Jehovah Witnesses, Stanford Swimmer, Baylor University, Michigan State University, Mexican government, Guatemala, Columbia, El Salvador, Brazil & governments, Boko Haram, R. Kelly, Woody Allen, Matt Laurer, Bill O'Rielly, Fox News, Donald Trump-President of the United States, Jeffrey Epstein & millions of unheralded, humiliated & disbelieved victims, Jyoti Singh Pandey, Valerie Martens, Katherine Mazanares, Gakirah Barnes, Surya Bonaly (& all those names I so wish I could remember right now to properly recognize & respect you & your life!)… WHICH CHARACTER IN THIS BOOK ARE YOU?!?!
+ • + • + • +
Intimate violence is the overwhelming cause of death for women throughout this entire planet… meaning who a woman does & does not choose as a partner can determine whether she is murdered or not!! & this story is EXACTLY what happens when a society subscribes to the ideal that women are not, can not & should not be able, qualified or allowed to define, decide & control their own bodies, minds & lives with out a man's interference, insurgents or insistence!!!
What Macy & Rachel endured & appease wasn't about homophobia, but rather it was Jeb's outrage that Macy thought she could say no to him— which was realistically reinforced & entitled by his parents, especially his father, who blamed Macy for everything & denied Rachel's allegations while protecting & defending & avenging Jeb's violent reign of terror!!
In today's world, phrases like "breakup violence", "incel extremists", "victim blaming", "anti-abortion terrorism", "honour killings", "#metoo backlash", "grab em by the p*$$¥", "20 minutes of action" & predators, abusers & monsters of infamy like Larry Nassar, Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Boy Scouts of America, Southern Baptist Minstries, Catholic Archdiocese, Jehovah Witnesses, Stanford Swimmer, Baylor University, Michigan State University, Mexican government, Guatemala, Columbia, El Salvador, Brazil & governments, Boko Haram, R. Kelly, Woody Allen, Matt Laurer, Bill O'Rielly, Fox News, Donald Trump-President of the United States, Jeffrey Epstein & millions of unheralded, humiliated & disbelieved victims, Jyoti Singh Pandey, Valerie Martens, Katherine Mazanares, Gakirah Barnes, Surya Bonaly (& all those names I so wish I could remember right now to properly recognize & respect you & your life!)… WHICH CHARACTER IN THIS BOOK ARE YOU?!?!
September 11, 2025
uhhhhh… this was a very quick read like i feel like it could have been way longer and honeslty the mc had me so annoyed in some parts cuz she was way to forgiving. Ana was the only character who had sense like bro LISTEN TO HER. Other than that i mean it was definitely very different from what ive read in the past but overall it was aight
August 1, 2015
The author mailed me the ebook version in exchange for an honest review
Honestly, judging from the book's cover I thought it would be a cute-summer-romantic-fun kind of book. But we all know better than to judge the book by its cover, so I went on to reading the synopsis. This was where it got not so much cute and summery. And after reading the book, it turned out to be not exactly what I expected.
The storyline:
the story takes place in a small town where a group of friends who know each other from the early childhood lives. It is summertime and they like to hang out by the river - their favourite spot. This is also the summer when Macy Mae decides to confess to her friend Rachel her secret - she has been in love with Rachel for over a year now. It is a true miracle that Rachel returns Macy's feelings and they are truly happy, but not for a very long time. When Rachel's brother Jeb (who also has a crush on Macy) finds out it all goes terribly wrong.
MCs:
Macy Mae - I can't say I loved her, but I admire her strength and bravery for coming out in such a small town, despite the fact that she knew it would blow up big time. I also didn't understand her attitude towards her Mama. I get she is not perfect and not exactly the best mother in the world, but you have to show her some respect whatever you think of her.
Rachel - she was ok, but I don't know that much about her. Although she is brave and smart, caring and protective of the ones she loves.
Ana - I loved her for being so straightforward and for speaking her mind. She is the real friend, tells it like it is, pisses Macy off, fights with her for what is right, but is always there for her no matter what.
Jeb - that young man, I don't even know what to say - he scared the hell out of me!
Overall, it was a good read, and I couldn't put it down, because I so desperately wanted to find out what happened in the next chapter and then in the next and so on. But I got a feeling that all the characters lacked depth, like I didn't know what they were like in the childhood, how Jeb's crush on Macy started or why, why Macy fell in love with Rachel in the first place (I'm sure it's more than just her blue eyes), their parent's background (for example, of Macy's mother - why did she end up like this), and all other details about characters' earlier lives. It was like they only existed in this particular summer and they already were like this.
Anyway, I had a good time reading this book, and would recommend it to anyone who likes a quick and thrilling read.
Honestly, judging from the book's cover I thought it would be a cute-summer-romantic-fun kind of book. But we all know better than to judge the book by its cover, so I went on to reading the synopsis. This was where it got not so much cute and summery. And after reading the book, it turned out to be not exactly what I expected.
The storyline:
the story takes place in a small town where a group of friends who know each other from the early childhood lives. It is summertime and they like to hang out by the river - their favourite spot. This is also the summer when Macy Mae decides to confess to her friend Rachel her secret - she has been in love with Rachel for over a year now. It is a true miracle that Rachel returns Macy's feelings and they are truly happy, but not for a very long time. When Rachel's brother Jeb (who also has a crush on Macy) finds out it all goes terribly wrong.
MCs:
Macy Mae - I can't say I loved her, but I admire her strength and bravery for coming out in such a small town, despite the fact that she knew it would blow up big time. I also didn't understand her attitude towards her Mama. I get she is not perfect and not exactly the best mother in the world, but you have to show her some respect whatever you think of her.
Rachel - she was ok, but I don't know that much about her. Although she is brave and smart, caring and protective of the ones she loves.
Ana - I loved her for being so straightforward and for speaking her mind. She is the real friend, tells it like it is, pisses Macy off, fights with her for what is right, but is always there for her no matter what.
Jeb - that young man, I don't even know what to say - he scared the hell out of me!
Overall, it was a good read, and I couldn't put it down, because I so desperately wanted to find out what happened in the next chapter and then in the next and so on. But I got a feeling that all the characters lacked depth, like I didn't know what they were like in the childhood, how Jeb's crush on Macy started or why, why Macy fell in love with Rachel in the first place (I'm sure it's more than just her blue eyes), their parent's background (for example, of Macy's mother - why did she end up like this), and all other details about characters' earlier lives. It was like they only existed in this particular summer and they already were like this.
Anyway, I had a good time reading this book, and would recommend it to anyone who likes a quick and thrilling read.
October 30, 2015
I knew I had to read Summer Confessions, not just because of the F/F Romance, but because the description promises a, "If I can't have you, no one can" type of plot! Macy's family has always lived in their small Tennessee town, and they've always been outsiders as the "Mexican" family even though they're really Puerto Rican. Despite that, Macy has the unwanted attention of Jeb who simply won't give up on her, even when it becomes clear that she's in love with his sister. Once that truth comes out, Jeb's attentions turn deadly.
Summer Confessions kept me on the edge of my seat! At first it was because I wanted Macy to tell Rachel how she really felt! She's odd enough in their town without being out as a lesbian, especially because the townfolk are mostly uber religious as well. But that does come out and the girls try to keep their relationship a secret, because Rachel doesn't want to hurt her brother. He finds out anyway and then things get tense! Jeb has his moments where he's a nice guy, but then he flies off the handle! You never know what he's going to do next! I really did not expect some of what he did, but it certainly fell into the "If I can't have you, no one can" realm! I loved it!
Sadly, Summer Confessions does have a time jump in the most awkward place ever, which kept me from rating higher. Things were getting really suspenseful, Jeb had reached his breaking point, Macy is fighting for her life, and then...One year later....Wait, what?! You can't just stop there and jump ahead! We do learn where the characters are all at now, but how did they get to that point? Who stopped Jeb?! Who helped Macy and Rachel?! What happened before the last scene faded to black?! I think skipping all of that was a poor choice.
Summer Confessions was still super good though. I was cheering for Macy and Rachel to get their happily ever after, even if it would be hard to be together in their town. I just wish there had be more! I can't believe we don't get to see how Jeb was stopped. That would have made this an even more excellent read.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
Summer Confessions kept me on the edge of my seat! At first it was because I wanted Macy to tell Rachel how she really felt! She's odd enough in their town without being out as a lesbian, especially because the townfolk are mostly uber religious as well. But that does come out and the girls try to keep their relationship a secret, because Rachel doesn't want to hurt her brother. He finds out anyway and then things get tense! Jeb has his moments where he's a nice guy, but then he flies off the handle! You never know what he's going to do next! I really did not expect some of what he did, but it certainly fell into the "If I can't have you, no one can" realm! I loved it!
Sadly, Summer Confessions does have a time jump in the most awkward place ever, which kept me from rating higher. Things were getting really suspenseful, Jeb had reached his breaking point, Macy is fighting for her life, and then...One year later....Wait, what?! You can't just stop there and jump ahead! We do learn where the characters are all at now, but how did they get to that point? Who stopped Jeb?! Who helped Macy and Rachel?! What happened before the last scene faded to black?! I think skipping all of that was a poor choice.
Summer Confessions was still super good though. I was cheering for Macy and Rachel to get their happily ever after, even if it would be hard to be together in their town. I just wish there had be more! I can't believe we don't get to see how Jeb was stopped. That would have made this an even more excellent read.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
September 26, 2015
I'm honestly not entirely sure how I feel about this book after finally finishing it; well, I shouldn't say finally as it really only took me a few days. I guess what I mean by 'finally' would be that I had to force myself to read this book. I would start it...read a few sentences get bored and put it down. Over and over I had to make myself pick it back up because the book has promising bits and pieces and I received an ARC for an honest review.
The southern twang took some getting used to but within a few chapters it didn't bother me. However, there were parts closer to the end that lost all of the southern feeling...it felt kind of inconsistent at times.
I had a incredibly hard time believing that the main characters of this book were between 16-18 years old. They often acted like they were quite a bit younger and it made the whole story less....fun.
Papaw was my favorite character by far- I mean who couldn't love a wise family man who worked so hard for his family and loved his family unconditionally? But don't get me started on the loser mother's mood swings- I'm not sure if the character was meant to be this up and down or not.
I will say that I loved the idea behind the story line- a young female whose in love with her best friend in an area that is not kind to those who may appear 'different'.... don't forget the unstable brother who can't accept that Macy won't be his... the story definitely hits a peak.
All in all it was an okay book, but I'm not sure that I'd ever want to read it again.
The southern twang took some getting used to but within a few chapters it didn't bother me. However, there were parts closer to the end that lost all of the southern feeling...it felt kind of inconsistent at times.
I had a incredibly hard time believing that the main characters of this book were between 16-18 years old. They often acted like they were quite a bit younger and it made the whole story less....fun.
Papaw was my favorite character by far- I mean who couldn't love a wise family man who worked so hard for his family and loved his family unconditionally? But don't get me started on the loser mother's mood swings- I'm not sure if the character was meant to be this up and down or not.
I will say that I loved the idea behind the story line- a young female whose in love with her best friend in an area that is not kind to those who may appear 'different'.... don't forget the unstable brother who can't accept that Macy won't be his... the story definitely hits a peak.
All in all it was an okay book, but I'm not sure that I'd ever want to read it again.
July 17, 2016
* I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Macy's secret is more dangerous than she can imagine. She's in love... with a girl named Rachel. Her family isn't exactly ready to hear her secret and neither is the possessive, slightly psychotic older brother of Rachel. Jeb is not entirely stable when it comes to his temper or his "concern" with Macy. He desperately wants Macy to be his. Instead of admitting that she doesn't like Jeb, she fears his temper, and pretends to feign interest in him to get closer to Rachel.
I liked the relationship between Macy and Rachel, though it did have a few moments where it felt unrealistic and I found Macy could be an unlikable character. The twists were a little predictable. At first, it was a bit irritating to get used to the vernacular or the characters. I did adapt to it. Jeb drove me nuts, but he was supposed to. I really had a hard time believing anyone would like him and his parents wouldn't control him. Overall, I thought it was a good romantic novel, but a bit too predictable and cheesy for my tastes. I did enjoy reading it!
Macy's secret is more dangerous than she can imagine. She's in love... with a girl named Rachel. Her family isn't exactly ready to hear her secret and neither is the possessive, slightly psychotic older brother of Rachel. Jeb is not entirely stable when it comes to his temper or his "concern" with Macy. He desperately wants Macy to be his. Instead of admitting that she doesn't like Jeb, she fears his temper, and pretends to feign interest in him to get closer to Rachel.
I liked the relationship between Macy and Rachel, though it did have a few moments where it felt unrealistic and I found Macy could be an unlikable character. The twists were a little predictable. At first, it was a bit irritating to get used to the vernacular or the characters. I did adapt to it. Jeb drove me nuts, but he was supposed to. I really had a hard time believing anyone would like him and his parents wouldn't control him. Overall, I thought it was a good romantic novel, but a bit too predictable and cheesy for my tastes. I did enjoy reading it!
July 27, 2015
Summer Confessions is a great young adult book that goes deep with the emotions that many teens deal with and think about.
This book has intensity, drama and suspense that will keep young and older readers turning pages to find out what happens. You will become part of the lives and community in this book.
Find out what happens when friends grow up together in a small town and harbor secrets and obsessions.
Macy holds a secret in her heart and when it comes out will she be accepted and loved?
She and her friends have to find a way to deal with their own emotions and beliefs and those close to them as the truth flows through their families.
Macy, Ana, Rachel, Jackson and Jeb share their lives with us as we learn about Jeb's mental illness and how same sex relationships can change the web of their lives.
Will they be accepted? Will love or fear win?
Read this thriller today and find out!
An amazing summer read to share with daughters, sons and parents.
This book has intensity, drama and suspense that will keep young and older readers turning pages to find out what happens. You will become part of the lives and community in this book.
Find out what happens when friends grow up together in a small town and harbor secrets and obsessions.
Macy holds a secret in her heart and when it comes out will she be accepted and loved?
She and her friends have to find a way to deal with their own emotions and beliefs and those close to them as the truth flows through their families.
Macy, Ana, Rachel, Jackson and Jeb share their lives with us as we learn about Jeb's mental illness and how same sex relationships can change the web of their lives.
Will they be accepted? Will love or fear win?
Read this thriller today and find out!
An amazing summer read to share with daughters, sons and parents.
March 29, 2015
Summer Confessions blew me away.The story is fun to read and the storyline fast-paced, which made this book super easy to love. The characters are strong, well-written, and completely believable. Mental illness and the effects that has on the entire family is brought up, and dealt with in the best way. But every story boils down to the romance for me. Did Summer Confessions reach those expectations? No, Summer Confessions exceeded them. Their love was effortlessly flawed with real human emotion. Man, if I could shout how awesome this book was, I'd totally do it: THIS BOOK IS AMAZING :)
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