Riptide Summer

Honey Girl #2

by Lisa Freeman

The year is 1973, and Nani is firmly established as one of the top girls in the State Beach lineup. She’s looking forward to a long, relaxing summer of days spent in the sun with her surfer boyfriend, and to secret nights with Rox, the lineup’s queen supreme.

But when surf god Nigel breaks her heart, and Rox reveals a secret that tears their friendship—and the lineup—apart, Nani is left to pick up the pieces. If she can’t recruit new Honey Girls to the lineup, the friends will lose their reputation as the beach’s top babes.

With the summer spiraling out of control, Nani starts to question everything she’s always believed about how to rule the beach. Maybe it’s time to leave the rules behind, starting with the most important one:

Girls don’t surf.

Genres: LGBT, Young Adult, Queer, Historical Fiction, Historical, Gay, Summer

304 pages, Hardcover

First published May 9, 2017

About the author

Lisa Freeman started her work as an actor and has been in numerous TV productions and films (Mr. Mom and Back to the Future I & II to name a few). She performed at the Comedy Store, which led to her writing career in radio and spoken word. Freeman has a BA in Liberal Studies and Creative Writing, an MFA in Fiction, and a Writing Pedagogy certificate from Antioch University. Her debut novel, Honey Girl, published by Sky Pony Press, was released on March 17, 2015.

www.facebook.com/LisaFreemanAuthor

Reviews

[Janie Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Received this book in exchange for an honest review. A couple of months ago I had finished Honey Girl which is the first book in this series. I enjoyed this second installment so much more than the first. I feel like it was much more realistic to read and I was also much more engaged to the story this time around.

I really like Nani's character. She is very believable and realistic. She did seem quite torn and it also seems like she was pretty misunderstood most of the time, but I think that is pretty normal of the time when talking about teenagers. I really did not care for her succumbing to the way It was set up there on beach and oftentimes giving up the fight since it was so different than her home in Hawaii where it seems t hat she had more freedoms. She does however get much stronger and discovers that she has a mind of her own the further you get into the story, I loved to see her grow throughout the story.

I was kind of wishing for a little bit more of a dramatic ending, but I guess it all worked out ok and to the positive for the most part. I just think maybe it lacked the excitement I would have expected with a story such as this. I would definitely read more by this author. She has a very fluid writing style that I really enjoyed.

[CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh. I'm gonna give this book the benefit of the doubt and say some things I didn't get were likely because I hadn't read the first one. But the characters were flat and/or one-dimensional, the plot was aimless and slow, and the writing felt disjointed. I know this is supposed to be realistic historical fiction, but I just didn't appreciate how much this felt like a foray into a sexist sub-culture of 70s California surfer beach. There is some subtle feminist content, but the girls' emphasis on physical beauty and judging each other on their looks is never really challenged. Plus, for a book described as bisexual, it actually feels pretty bi-erasing.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

HALLELUJAH, complex teen dyke representation including: a shitty ex girlfriend, a new girl love interest, an ex-boyfriend, and fucking a dude who's a friend and liking it. Also including: mega grief, a neglectful alcoholic white mom, and learning that people aren't idols. And continued teen queen beach protocol getting more and more badass book by book.

[Susan Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved, loved, loved Honey Girl and Riptide Summer was just as amazing. Lisa Freeman anchored me with her visuals, smells and memories of the 70's. Will there be a third? I hope so! These will be classics for readers of any age. Thank you...and more please.

[Danielle (Life of a Literary Nerd) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like Honey Girl, Riptide Summer is a fun book about beach politics, sun, and surfing.

Things I Liked :
Again, I LOVED the beach politics in this series. It's so fun and teen drama perfection. I love that there were new rules to follow, and that Nani tries to create better rules for the new girls moving forward.

I was really excited that we got to see Nani surf and go after what she wants without letting the rules confine her. She becomes more active in finding her own happiness and I loved that.

Things I Didn't Like :
There were a few times within the first 5 or so chapters that we get new information about our characters, that I felt we should have learned about in book 1. The info was all really character driven, and It really would have helped me connect to the characters more in book 1. Here, it fely a little shoehorned in.

There was still some kind of dopey juvenile humor that I didn't love. It wasn't overwhelming, but it wasn't the kind of humor I appreciate in a story.

Riptide Summer is a satisfying addition to Nani's story. We see her grow in love and acceptance of herself and what she wants. I loved the beach politics and 70s nostalgia vibes. Riptide Summer is a good summer read.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

Riptide Summer continues where Honey Girl left off and features all the great observations on growing up in 1970s Los Angeles. Those who enjoyed the first book will likely find a similar love in this second book for that reason. And although this feels like ab ending to the series, I can't say I would be disappointed if Nani's story continued.

Story: Nani continues to settle into the Southern California surf scene, always mindful of the 'rules' but also willing to make her own. Previously content to be a minion and not a leader, she is finding that she doesn't agree with how her group is run and is starting to consider becoming a leader herself. But with trouble still at home with her alcoholic mother and visitors from the islands bringing their own sad news, Nani will soon be forced to make some hard choices on what she really wants from her life now that she is almost an adult.

Riptide Summer contains fewer of the 1970s observations and a lot more of life considerations. Author Freeman really nails the uncertainty of the teen years - from the new and uncertain young recruits into the "honey girl' group to the older teens and life choices they are being forced to make now that they are expected to be adults. It all feels so authentic, even perhaps a bit innocent, in that time before internet and cell phones. None of the teens in the book are smarter than they should be - and they make really dumb mistakes and misjudgments that hit really sad notes of accuracy. From teen pregnancy to breaking up, frenemies and rivals.

Nani's relationships continue to morph - from her conflicted relationships with Nigel and Rox to how she deals with/handles the new girls in her group on the beach. The core of this second book is maturity and perspective as the teens are/aren't groomed by their parents or each other for adulthood. In contrast, the first book was about fitting in and finding one's place in the world.

In all, a very enjoyable read and a real breath of fresh air in the YA genre. We always say that things were different in the past - this series really nails so much of just how much things have changed for the modern teen. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.5

Really glad I picked this up after being lukewarm on the first in the duology (series? I dunno.) because this one is excellent. Nani has matured a lot since the events of Honey Girl and she continues to grow and find ways to be herself over the course of Riptide Summer. Because of this, she's suddenly quite likable, a quality she lacked for much of Honey Girl. Also, yay for a girl coming to grips with and learning not to be ashamed of the things she loves, whether they're surfing or other girls!

[Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nani's voice is just as rich and real as the first one, and her maturity and growth are very well written. I especially liked how her bond with the new girls, especially Baby, formed, and the new rules she made for herself. My main criticism is honestly how one-dimensional Rox became. I get that she's supposed to have this falling-diva arc, but there was a lot that just...wasn't explored. Her behavior is just written off as bitchiness and fear by Nani, without really ever delving into hints that were dropped in the last book about her parents and past. She's clearly got some severe issues, not just related to being closeted and afraid of being found out, and they're never addressed. Overall, though, I did enjoy the book just as much as I did the first!

[Katie Atmakur · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so incredible i love every page of it the author of it is so talented!!

[Lindsay Virgilio · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I began reading this book in a bout of pre-travel anxiety when I couldn't sleep and ended up reading it in two sittings. It's definitely a binge book and I say that because there's not down time in the book, there's romance, drama, and pretty much every chapter has it own surprise. The main character Nani is also struggling to define her sexual identity, which is complicated by the fact that her ex-bestfriend's boyfriend is getting pretty close to her and while she's into it, there's this elusive gal out there who she'd rather be with. I really enjoyed this as a break from the longer books I usually get myself into it.

[Marc O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the new state of mind Nani Nuuwa continues to surf her emotional waves on the mainland in the 1970's Southern California. Honestly confronting hurtful issues Lisa Freeman uses the ocean setting as a cool way to display much needed conversation which will allow a young adult reader to come to closure about who they are in a modern society losing its tranquil views while being replaced by ugly currents that could drag one under. Pick up the strong board that you love and want then enjoy Riptide Summer before welcoming the autumn leaves turning showing a different beautiful season.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was only after I read this that I realised it's #2 in a series so that could explain why I found it difficult to get into! I also struggled to like a lot of the characters, but ultimately found it a pretty cool coming of age story, especially considering that it's set in the 70s. Initially I found Nani a but shallow but grew to like and respect her quite a bit throughout the story. Loved the ending.

[Joan Dendinger]

I loved this book! Riptide Summer starts by recapping the end of Honey Girl. Nani has secured her position in the Sisters of Sand but must still deal with the grief of losing her father, her mother’s descent into alcoholism, her boyfriend’s departure and her girlfriend’s turn against her. Nani grows into a self confident young woman as she realizes her personal strength and resilience. I highly recommend this book, especially to 15 year old girls who are questioning

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Honey Girl, but I enjoyed this book a lot more. It had more of the beach politics, but with Nani in a different role, and not just trying to get into the lineup. The changing relationships, maturity and growth that Nani experiences was a nice change from Honey Girl.

[Natalie Susa · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg these books are so damn good and are not given nearly enough credit or praise. the 70s Hawaiian and California culture is so spot on and so fun! the small little peek into queer culture and how it looks from the perspective of a teenager just figuring out she likes girls is just so perfect!!

[moxieBK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riptide Summer (Honey Girl #2) — Lisa Freeman (43 titled chapters, broken into 3 parts.) Dec. 19-20, 2017

Let it be known that this is a lesbian coming of age story. There is implied sex, both heterosexual and homosexual, (girl and guy; girl and girl.) Also, there are timely themes played here: racial and gender inequalities; and teenage pregnancies. The themes are well written. However, if those themes bother you, go look elsewhere.

First off, I did not know this was a second in series book. Having said that, this can be read first with no issues. (Usually it bothers me to start reading a book in the middle of a series, but I was OK with this one. Interestingly, the author did a good job of explaining parts that were in the first book in a way that was skillfully done and therefore I wasn't lost. Not a lot of authors can do that.)

Second, I wasn’t sure how I was going to like this story. It wobbles a bit for me in the beginning. It is set in the 1970’s…but that wasn’t an issue. The story is timeless, and feels real. I’m not sure why I felt trepidation when I started this, but I kept reading, and glad I did.

The chapters are short and once I started reading, I didn’t want to quit. Which means: yeah, the chapters ended in the right places.

In the middle of the story, I thought that it was OK, though I wasn’t sure if I would read the first book, or any book after it. As the book progressed though, I really started to like the story. If there is a third, I will be reading it. And I will probably go back and read the first one.

Nani is a character whose story is universal, meaningful, and very much current in today’s society (even though the story takes place in the 70’s,) that it is a book that both YA and older readers will enjoy. Nani has a very strong moral compass, and, as is normal, doesn’t always let it guide her; in the end, she knows what is right, and she not only stand proud in that, but becomes a role model for her friends and readers alike.

I'm very glad I downloaded and read this book.

Five stars.