Nantucket Summer: A Collection

Nantucket #1-2

by Leila Howland

Follow the exploits of Cricket Thompson as she explores the alluring island of Nantucket and faces the unexpected in this collection of Leila Howland's first two novels. Nantucket Blue

For Cricket, a summer on Nantucket with her best friend Jules is a life-changing dream come true. That is, until Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy, and Jules becomes a stranger. And instead of lying on the beach working on her tan, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise. But it's the things she hadn't counted on--most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits--that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality.


Nantucket Red

Cricket is headed to Brown University in the fall, but to help pay for her living expenses, she heads back to work on Nantucket for the summer, where she finds challenges she hadn't anticipated. As her world opens up in new ways, Cricket questions the future she's been working toward her whole life. With the pull of a love triangle complicating everything, she'll have to learn that success isn't just about reaching goals, but also about listening to what she's been trying to ignore-her own heart.


Praise for Nantucket Blue
"[Howland] evokes the Nantucket setting vividly . . . when it comes to indulgent beach reading, sometimes it's more fun to get pushed over by a wave than to stay safely on your towel."
-The New York Times

"Sand, secrets, Nantucket Reds, and romance. A fresh, feel-good debut."
-The Boston Globe

*"Readers should feel empowered by Cricket's efforts to grow up into a strong, honest, and emotionally intelligent young woman, even as they are enchanted by the romantic and exclusive island setting. This is a natural beach read, but will easily win Howland year-round fans, too."
-Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Fans of Sarah Dessen will find much to like here, as the charm of this summery yarn lies in Cricket's open appeal."
-Library Journal

"[Cricket's] story is told in a way that is both engaging and alluring. Definitely a standout novel in its genre."
-School Library Journal



Praise for Nantucket Red

"Enjoyable and introspective, this is more than just a summer beach read."
-Kirkus Reviews

"In this novel about finding oneself and following your heart, Howland creates a character that readers will be cheering for from beginning to end."
-VOYA
"Nantucket Red is an engaging continuation of Cricket's story, and its pace is perfect for a long weekend or beach read."
-School Library Journal

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

607 pages, Paperback

First published April 25, 2017

About the author

Leila Howland grew up in Providence, Rhode Island. A graduate of Georgetown University, Leila spent five years acting in New York where she was a company member of the award-winning Flea Theater in Tribeca. She is the author of the YA novels Nantucket Blue, for which she was named a Publisher’s Weekly Flying Start author, Nantucket Red, and Hello, Sunshine, as well as the Silver Sisters middle grade series and the upcoming Rapunzel and the Lost Lagoon. Leila now lives in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Cindy Wilkerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a bind up of two books Nantucket Blue and Nantucket Red.
First, I must say that I love the setting.
It makes me want to venture up there for the summer!

Nantucket Blue
I really liked Cricket but was annoyed, at times, with her obsession with the Clayton family.
Girl chill.
This was Cricket's journey through loss as much as it was about falling in love for the first time.
Incredibly sweet romance.

Nantucket Red
I preferred this book over Nantucket Blue.
This story was more of a coming of age story. You really get to see Cricket grow up, and also make some more mistakes along the way.
There were moments where she still got on my nerves but I was really rooting for her throughout her second summer in Nantucket.

Final verdict, these 2 books make a great summer read!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad I chose this book for my first book of 2019, it was exactly what I was in the mood for! New author to me and really enjoyed the way she described things and I definitely felt like I was in Nantucket! 😊👍📚

[Robin Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the story line. Two summers on Nantucket. What a life. Of course she had to work all summer, both summers. But being a teenager Nantucket is the place to be for the summer. And to fall in love for the first time. Then break up when you get back home. All the first year. The second year was to make money for college. Then at the end of the summer to get back with the boy from the first year. It was pretty good.

[Hailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a bind up of both Nantucket Blue and Nantucket Red. I did enjoy Nantucket Blue more than the latter. The descriptions and storytelling make you want to visit Nantucket, such a light and enjoyable read. The characters were written well, as if they were your own friends. I want nothing more in this moment than to check in at the Cranberry Inn and enjoy a cup of tea with Liz before hitting the beach. I also want to say, I’m still not a fan of Jules or Zack. 😂

[Jessi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its good but I just couldn't relate to any of the characters whatsoever. But the author definitely took me on an adventure. It's a cute story with powerful writing. Fluffy and light read but also has some gem lines in it. I like a different type of love story with all kinds of drama, chaos, etc. So it was hard to get through at times. But I enjoyed it.

[Barbara Sprufera Ruggles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical summer beach read but just the book to kick off summer! Double book with both stories included. Nantucket is on my bucket list - can’t wait to experience it! This book is set here and the writer does a great job making you envision the locale. Cute boy meets girl, girl makes mistakes … you know how it goes. Fun light reading, perfect on the beach!

[Jessread.thepaige · Rating 3 out of 5]

This 2 book collection was a sweet summer read that took me right to Nantucket.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy summer read.

[Sabrina King · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice mindless read. Just what I needed before bed.