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Calmer Girls #1
Calmer Girls
Sixteen-year-old Samantha Cross is introverted, highly sensitive, and is falling in love for the first time. The biggest problem? The guy she's falling for is her older sister’s boyfriend, Ben Swift.
Her sister Veronica is beautiful, outgoing, and confident. Samantha is used to her sister getting all of the attention and everything she wants, even if she's never liked it. But now they’re being torn apart by love for the same boy, their parents’ separation and mother’s declining emotional state, and their move away from Calmer Cove into city life in St. John's.
As her life crumbles apart around her, Samantha’s feelings for Ben only grow stronger. Then she finds out the boy driving the vintage Thunderbird has mysterious issues of his own. Will Samantha let Veronica keep the only boy she’s ever loved, or will she end up ruining her sister’s happiness to take control of her own? Tensions between the siblings escalate, and Samantha is torn between doing what she thinks is right and acting on her heart’s desire. One thing becomes clear: One of the Cross sisters is in for a broken heart.
Her sister Veronica is beautiful, outgoing, and confident. Samantha is used to her sister getting all of the attention and everything she wants, even if she's never liked it. But now they’re being torn apart by love for the same boy, their parents’ separation and mother’s declining emotional state, and their move away from Calmer Cove into city life in St. John's.
As her life crumbles apart around her, Samantha’s feelings for Ben only grow stronger. Then she finds out the boy driving the vintage Thunderbird has mysterious issues of his own. Will Samantha let Veronica keep the only boy she’s ever loved, or will she end up ruining her sister’s happiness to take control of her own? Tensions between the siblings escalate, and Samantha is torn between doing what she thinks is right and acting on her heart’s desire. One thing becomes clear: One of the Cross sisters is in for a broken heart.
296 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2016
3 people are currently reading
764 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Kelland Perry
4 books87 followersJennifer Kelland Perry is a Canadian blogger, devoted reader and animal lover.
Born in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, she left the city in 2010 for the rural writing life and is loving every moment. Calmer Girls (2016) is Jennifer’s debut novel, the first in a two-book series. The sequel, Calmer Secrets, was released in 2017. She is a member of WritersNL and took part in the multi-author Literary Events NL Book Tour in 2017.
Jennifer’s third novel, The Women of Wild Cove, was released on September 1, 2025 by Running Wild Publishing. She lives by the sea with her husband and their two extremely spoiled cats.
Born in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, she left the city in 2010 for the rural writing life and is loving every moment. Calmer Girls (2016) is Jennifer’s debut novel, the first in a two-book series. The sequel, Calmer Secrets, was released in 2017. She is a member of WritersNL and took part in the multi-author Literary Events NL Book Tour in 2017.
Jennifer’s third novel, The Women of Wild Cove, was released on September 1, 2025 by Running Wild Publishing. She lives by the sea with her husband and their two extremely spoiled cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 23, 2020
Calmer Girls is the first in a two-part series written by author Jennifer Kelland Perry as a coming-of-age, young adult contemporary fiction novel. I picked up the book after I read a review on a fellow blogger's website, and it finally found its way into my queue this month. Set in Canada, this story focuses on two teenagers in the early 1990s who are sisters interested in the same guy, Ben. Although some would say it falls into a romance genre, to me, it's more a family drama with some romantic scenes. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it, so let's get into the details...
Veronica is one year older than Samantha, who turns 16 in the book. Samantha meets a cute guy named Ben, and after introducing him to her sister, Veronica sets her sights on him. The tale follows Veronica's relationship, then when she and Ben hit troubled waters, Samantha decides maybe she should've had him after all. In between these relationships, both girls deal with friends and their mother, an alcoholic who misses her own mother, the nana who fell prey to Alzheimer's disease a few years earlier. The end is a bit explosive, a conclusion I hadn't seen coming either.
At first, I found the story a little slow to build, but by midway, I relaxed into the calming tone. It's very emblematic of teenager emotions... but I will say, both girls are ruthless and mean. Not in the traditional sense of 'mean girls,' but in that they don't seem to care about one another, their mother, or even being kind to others. They just go about their lives as though they are solitary. In some ways, this is reality. In others, maybe I was just lucky and didn't have friends like that when I was a teenager. Either way, this was a strong character study, and I enjoyed getting to know both of the girls as time passed by one year.
The writing is good; there are tons of descriptions and general commentaries on life. Some books are character-driven, others focus on plot. This one seemed to switch halfway through... as at first, it was all about setting a scene and relationship... and thru 50%, very little happens other than the girls dating boys and complaining about their life. A switch flips, and the plot rolls quickly into some suspense and drama. I liked the juxtaposition of the two approaches, as it shows the author's writing style and talent across many areas.
I would like to read the second book to find out what happens to these girls, especially with that ending. I'm curious to see when and if there are any redemption factors, and who I end up deciding I like more. Good read!
Veronica is one year older than Samantha, who turns 16 in the book. Samantha meets a cute guy named Ben, and after introducing him to her sister, Veronica sets her sights on him. The tale follows Veronica's relationship, then when she and Ben hit troubled waters, Samantha decides maybe she should've had him after all. In between these relationships, both girls deal with friends and their mother, an alcoholic who misses her own mother, the nana who fell prey to Alzheimer's disease a few years earlier. The end is a bit explosive, a conclusion I hadn't seen coming either.
At first, I found the story a little slow to build, but by midway, I relaxed into the calming tone. It's very emblematic of teenager emotions... but I will say, both girls are ruthless and mean. Not in the traditional sense of 'mean girls,' but in that they don't seem to care about one another, their mother, or even being kind to others. They just go about their lives as though they are solitary. In some ways, this is reality. In others, maybe I was just lucky and didn't have friends like that when I was a teenager. Either way, this was a strong character study, and I enjoyed getting to know both of the girls as time passed by one year.
The writing is good; there are tons of descriptions and general commentaries on life. Some books are character-driven, others focus on plot. This one seemed to switch halfway through... as at first, it was all about setting a scene and relationship... and thru 50%, very little happens other than the girls dating boys and complaining about their life. A switch flips, and the plot rolls quickly into some suspense and drama. I liked the juxtaposition of the two approaches, as it shows the author's writing style and talent across many areas.
I would like to read the second book to find out what happens to these girls, especially with that ending. I'm curious to see when and if there are any redemption factors, and who I end up deciding I like more. Good read!
July 9, 2017
English - Español
I received this author's eBook in exchange for my honest opinion.
It is the story of teenage sisters Cross, Samantha and Veronica, who fall in love with the same young man. Sounds cliché, but it's much more. It's more complicated.
Their parents are separated and because of the crisis, which made his father run out of work, they had to move with their mother from Calmer Cove to St. John, Newfoundland. This separation makes her mother start smoking and drinking alcohol without control, making family life more and more difficult.
It is from the point of view of Samantha, who is the most judicious of the sisters, studious, talented for photography and painting, is a year younger than Veronica, who is partying, carefree, bad student, who changes her boyfriends as shoes, but she is more beautiful and flirtatious, which makes her more striking.
Samantha is the one who first meets Ben Swift and tries to hide the photos she took him from her sister, but since they are, Veronica and Ben, was love at first sight.
Should Samantha forget her first love and leave him with her sister or fight for it even if that means her sister suffers?
Are the events that follow this plot, not only that I did not like it, but it seems written to me simply because it suited the story, because they are acts contrary to what the Samantha described in more than half a book. The simple conclusion is that love makes us foolish.
What I did like is Jennifer Kellan Perry's writing. This is her debut book.
✨✨✨
Recibí este eBook de la autora a cambio de mi honesta opinión.
Es la historia de las hermanas adolescentes Cross, Samantha y Verónica, quienes se enamoran del mismo joven. Suena a cliché, pero es mucho más. Es más complicado.
Sus padres están separados y debido a la crisis, que hizo que su padre quedara sin trabajo, tuvieron que mudarse con su madre de Calmer Cove a St. John, Newfoundland. Esta separación hace que su madre comience a fumar y tomar alcohol sin control, con lo que la vida familiar este cada día más difícil.
Es desde el punto de vista de Samantha, quien es la más juiciosa de las hermanas, estudiosa, con talento para la fotografía y la pintura, es un año menor que Verónica, quien es fiestera, despreocupada, mal estudiante, quien cambia de novios como cambiarse de zapatos, pero es más hermosa y coqueta, lo que la hace más llamativa.
Samantha es quien conoce primero a Ben Swift y trata de esconder a su hermana las fotos que les hizo, pero desde que se encuentran, Verónica y Ben, es amor a primera vista.
Debe Samantha olvidar a su primer amor y dejarlo con su hermana o luchar por el aunque eso signifique que su hermana sufra?
Son los acontecimientos que siguen esta trama, no sólo que no me gustaron, sino que me parece escrito simplemente porque convenía a la historia, porque son actos contrarios a lo que haría la Samantha descrita en más de medio libro. La simple conclusión es que el amor nos vuelve insensatos.
Lo que si me gustó es la forma de escribir de Jennifer Kellan Perry. Este es su libro debut.
I received this author's eBook in exchange for my honest opinion.
It is the story of teenage sisters Cross, Samantha and Veronica, who fall in love with the same young man. Sounds cliché, but it's much more. It's more complicated.
Their parents are separated and because of the crisis, which made his father run out of work, they had to move with their mother from Calmer Cove to St. John, Newfoundland. This separation makes her mother start smoking and drinking alcohol without control, making family life more and more difficult.
It is from the point of view of Samantha, who is the most judicious of the sisters, studious, talented for photography and painting, is a year younger than Veronica, who is partying, carefree, bad student, who changes her boyfriends as shoes, but she is more beautiful and flirtatious, which makes her more striking.
Samantha is the one who first meets Ben Swift and tries to hide the photos she took him from her sister, but since they are, Veronica and Ben, was love at first sight.
Should Samantha forget her first love and leave him with her sister or fight for it even if that means her sister suffers?
Are the events that follow this plot, not only that I did not like it, but it seems written to me simply because it suited the story, because they are acts contrary to what the Samantha described in more than half a book. The simple conclusion is that love makes us foolish.
What I did like is Jennifer Kellan Perry's writing. This is her debut book.
✨✨✨
Recibí este eBook de la autora a cambio de mi honesta opinión.
Es la historia de las hermanas adolescentes Cross, Samantha y Verónica, quienes se enamoran del mismo joven. Suena a cliché, pero es mucho más. Es más complicado.
Sus padres están separados y debido a la crisis, que hizo que su padre quedara sin trabajo, tuvieron que mudarse con su madre de Calmer Cove a St. John, Newfoundland. Esta separación hace que su madre comience a fumar y tomar alcohol sin control, con lo que la vida familiar este cada día más difícil.
Es desde el punto de vista de Samantha, quien es la más juiciosa de las hermanas, estudiosa, con talento para la fotografía y la pintura, es un año menor que Verónica, quien es fiestera, despreocupada, mal estudiante, quien cambia de novios como cambiarse de zapatos, pero es más hermosa y coqueta, lo que la hace más llamativa.
Samantha es quien conoce primero a Ben Swift y trata de esconder a su hermana las fotos que les hizo, pero desde que se encuentran, Verónica y Ben, es amor a primera vista.
Debe Samantha olvidar a su primer amor y dejarlo con su hermana o luchar por el aunque eso signifique que su hermana sufra?
Son los acontecimientos que siguen esta trama, no sólo que no me gustaron, sino que me parece escrito simplemente porque convenía a la historia, porque son actos contrarios a lo que haría la Samantha descrita en más de medio libro. La simple conclusión es que el amor nos vuelve insensatos.
Lo que si me gustó es la forma de escribir de Jennifer Kellan Perry. Este es su libro debut.
February 6, 2017
This is a well-written YA novel which covers quite a lot of ground, and adds up to rather more than the sum of its parts. The Calmer Girls - Samantha (please, not 'Sammie'!) and Veronica ('Ronnie') and their mother move from their quiet home to city life in St. Johns, Newfoundland. Troubled but beautiful Ben Swift becomes a bone of contention, and their lives hit turbulent - and deep - waters.
Is it a love story? Absolutely. Is it a family drama? Oh yes, and then some. Is it about growning up? (Typo, but it's so apt I'm leaving it there.) Definitely.
Samantha is a very good character, too young for everything she has to deal with, overshadowed by her showier and apparently extroverted sister, who wrestles with one situation after another. Samantha falls in love; so does Veronica. No spoilers here, that's in the blurb. It's what follows, and how Jennifer Perry resolves matters, that makes the book. For most of the book I thought Veronica rather one-dimensional, but was forced to change my mind in the end. The girls' mother is a superb character, Ben is good, and Kalen has a nice minor role.
The pace is medium, the plot complex, the writing itself very good. The book covers a few YA issues, of which the brokenness of modern family life is probably the foremost, but it is never 'preachy'. Everything is simply part of the story. Ben's habit of driving fast and angry is well done.
Rarely, a couple of character decisions felt a little forced, as though to fit a pre-determined plot. For example, Sam and Ben's decision at about the three-quarter mark was not quite believable for me, but almost all the time the choices and consequences are true to each character.
I felt the ending was very good, and came at the right time. While not everything is neatly wrapped up, I was fully satisfied to read this novel as a stand alone work, and I believe a sequel is planned. Strongly recommended for YA readers who like a little more substance to their books, and relationships which develop at a realistic pace.
Is it a love story? Absolutely. Is it a family drama? Oh yes, and then some. Is it about growning up? (Typo, but it's so apt I'm leaving it there.) Definitely.
Samantha is a very good character, too young for everything she has to deal with, overshadowed by her showier and apparently extroverted sister, who wrestles with one situation after another. Samantha falls in love; so does Veronica. No spoilers here, that's in the blurb. It's what follows, and how Jennifer Perry resolves matters, that makes the book. For most of the book I thought Veronica rather one-dimensional, but was forced to change my mind in the end. The girls' mother is a superb character, Ben is good, and Kalen has a nice minor role.
The pace is medium, the plot complex, the writing itself very good. The book covers a few YA issues, of which the brokenness of modern family life is probably the foremost, but it is never 'preachy'. Everything is simply part of the story. Ben's habit of driving fast and angry is well done.
Rarely, a couple of character decisions felt a little forced, as though to fit a pre-determined plot. For example, Sam and Ben's decision at about the three-quarter mark was not quite believable for me, but almost all the time the choices and consequences are true to each character.
I felt the ending was very good, and came at the right time. While not everything is neatly wrapped up, I was fully satisfied to read this novel as a stand alone work, and I believe a sequel is planned. Strongly recommended for YA readers who like a little more substance to their books, and relationships which develop at a realistic pace.
March 25, 2017
Having a sister who’s one year younger than me, I can imagine the friction caused by two sisters falling for the same guy. Thankfully, that didn’t happen in my life. But Samantha and Veronica – the “Calmer Girls” from Calmer Cove, Newfoundland – aren’t as lucky. The fireworks between the teenage sisters is certainly believable.
But this story is about so much more than just two sisters fighting over a cute boy. A rotten economy that makes jobs hard to find impacts their parents’ marriage, forcing a mother bordering on becoming an alcoholic to take her two daughters to a new city while their father moves away entirely. There are traumatic memories for Samantha, the main character, stemming from losing her much-beloved grandmother to Alzheimer’s Disease. And there’s that good-looking guy they both want – Ben Swift, with problems of his own. Stir that all together and you come up with a fast-paced, believable YA novel about trying to grow up while leaping over one hurdle after another – acceptance, desire, jealousy, anger, feelings of abandonment – you name it.
But this story is about so much more than just two sisters fighting over a cute boy. A rotten economy that makes jobs hard to find impacts their parents’ marriage, forcing a mother bordering on becoming an alcoholic to take her two daughters to a new city while their father moves away entirely. There are traumatic memories for Samantha, the main character, stemming from losing her much-beloved grandmother to Alzheimer’s Disease. And there’s that good-looking guy they both want – Ben Swift, with problems of his own. Stir that all together and you come up with a fast-paced, believable YA novel about trying to grow up while leaping over one hurdle after another – acceptance, desire, jealousy, anger, feelings of abandonment – you name it.
November 3, 2017
A story that will hold immense appeal for anyone who enjoys YA romance and drama.
‘Calmer Girls’ doesn’t fall into my usual preferred genre, but that didn’t stop me enjoying this book. I was engaged from the start when it opened with a scenario that was instantly familiar to me: teen sisters fighting and competing with one another. As the younger sister in my own family, I could relate to Samantha’s frustrations and sensitivities, even though my sister and I competed and fought over different things than Samantha and Veronica do. The complications and conflicts between Samantha and Veronica are portrayed very realistically, and the reader is drawn into developing a strong sense of empathy for their general situation, as well as for the circumstances of particular characters.
I love that this book is set in Newfoundland and that part of the story relates to the experiences of the families of the fishermen who live there. The author has embedded plenty of details that really do evoke the unique character of St Johns and life in the Canadian Maritimes, so the setting felt very familiar and homey to me because I have visited the Maritimes and have friends there.
I really liked the frequent references to the classic books such as 'Wuthering Heights' and 'Jane Eyre' that Samantha likes to read because they gave me a stronger connection to this story. They weren’t overbearing or super nerdy, yet they communicated clearly that Samantha sees life and thinks at a deeper level than her sister. That positioned me to like her even more than the fact that she is the central character.
I found the characters to be believable and quite well-developed, and the story compelling.
‘Calmer Girls’ will hold immense appeal for anyone who enjoys YA romance and drama.
‘Calmer Girls’ doesn’t fall into my usual preferred genre, but that didn’t stop me enjoying this book. I was engaged from the start when it opened with a scenario that was instantly familiar to me: teen sisters fighting and competing with one another. As the younger sister in my own family, I could relate to Samantha’s frustrations and sensitivities, even though my sister and I competed and fought over different things than Samantha and Veronica do. The complications and conflicts between Samantha and Veronica are portrayed very realistically, and the reader is drawn into developing a strong sense of empathy for their general situation, as well as for the circumstances of particular characters.
I love that this book is set in Newfoundland and that part of the story relates to the experiences of the families of the fishermen who live there. The author has embedded plenty of details that really do evoke the unique character of St Johns and life in the Canadian Maritimes, so the setting felt very familiar and homey to me because I have visited the Maritimes and have friends there.
I really liked the frequent references to the classic books such as 'Wuthering Heights' and 'Jane Eyre' that Samantha likes to read because they gave me a stronger connection to this story. They weren’t overbearing or super nerdy, yet they communicated clearly that Samantha sees life and thinks at a deeper level than her sister. That positioned me to like her even more than the fact that she is the central character.
I found the characters to be believable and quite well-developed, and the story compelling.
‘Calmer Girls’ will hold immense appeal for anyone who enjoys YA romance and drama.
July 5, 2019
Whew strap in for a read for everyone who ever had that intense sister rivalry! Jennifer Kelland Perry knows how to create the drama. Samantha and Veronica have a lot going on in their life. And one of the best things about this story is the way the author authentically addressed a lot of real-life problems so many teens in ordinary families face today. A depressed economy where a parent can’t find work. A marriage that falls apart when this forces a move. Alcoholism. Aging of a grandparent and Alzheimer’s. These are the realistic truths many teens have to deal with. The way these were brought to life were hands-down my favorite part of the book!
On top of all this, Samantha has fallen for her sister’s boyfriend, Veronica. Samantha and Ben met first and became platonic friends (and she has a SERIOUS crush) but Veronica and Ben are the ones in a relationship. The tension here is soooo real and ugh, I have to feel for the situation, but on the other hand… this is your sister. Surely all those nights together painting each other’s nails and eating popcorn while watching tv should count over some guy you both stumbled into five seconds ago, right? Who will win, the girlfriend, or the sister who saw him first? And will their relationship survive? Things quickly grow intense in this edgy YA read. Very much enjoyed!
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
On top of all this, Samantha has fallen for her sister’s boyfriend, Veronica. Samantha and Ben met first and became platonic friends (and she has a SERIOUS crush) but Veronica and Ben are the ones in a relationship. The tension here is soooo real and ugh, I have to feel for the situation, but on the other hand… this is your sister. Surely all those nights together painting each other’s nails and eating popcorn while watching tv should count over some guy you both stumbled into five seconds ago, right? Who will win, the girlfriend, or the sister who saw him first? And will their relationship survive? Things quickly grow intense in this edgy YA read. Very much enjoyed!
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
September 12, 2017
Calmer Girls
Jennifer Perry
Four Stars
When I purchased Calmer Girls I wondered if it was one of those sweet romance novels that have become so popular among teens. I was soon to find that it was much more than that. This novel reminds me of Charlotte Bronte’s book Jane Eyre, which the author gives reference to at the beginning of the chapters. Calmer Girls involves all of the problems that many teens encounter as they are growing up. The breakup of their parent’s marriage, moving to a new place and having to make the adjustment required, and it that is not enough, the two sisters, Samantha and Veronica fall in love with the same boy. Jennifer Perry weaves an interesting tale with the problems of a failing economy, new friends, and alcohol addiction that threatens to tear the family apart. The story is exciting with believable characters and a plot that moves along at a good pace.
I purchased this book from Amazon.
Jennifer Perry
Four Stars
When I purchased Calmer Girls I wondered if it was one of those sweet romance novels that have become so popular among teens. I was soon to find that it was much more than that. This novel reminds me of Charlotte Bronte’s book Jane Eyre, which the author gives reference to at the beginning of the chapters. Calmer Girls involves all of the problems that many teens encounter as they are growing up. The breakup of their parent’s marriage, moving to a new place and having to make the adjustment required, and it that is not enough, the two sisters, Samantha and Veronica fall in love with the same boy. Jennifer Perry weaves an interesting tale with the problems of a failing economy, new friends, and alcohol addiction that threatens to tear the family apart. The story is exciting with believable characters and a plot that moves along at a good pace.
I purchased this book from Amazon.
March 12, 2020
Well written, the author draws you in quickly with a move to a new town for Samantha, her sister Veronica, and her mother. Samantha meets - and longs for - Ben, a young man she fears will instantly fall for her older, gorgeous sister. He does. Problems of making new friends, an absent father and a mother who's drinking more and more pile on. It is a bit dark, but there's light at the end of the tunnel. The characters feel real, and the sisters eventually find compassion for each other.
If you love real world YA with some dark threads and a little teen romance, this is for you.
If you love real world YA with some dark threads and a little teen romance, this is for you.
July 31, 2016
Samantha Cross has always been in her older sister Veronica’s shadow, but this could be a summer of big changes. When the Cross girls move with their mother from Calmer Cove to the city of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Samantha’s first friend is a handsome eighteen-year-old boy, Ben Swift. Samantha watches the inevitable sparks fly between Ben and Veronica and she knows she can’t compete with her sister’s beauty and flirtatious charms. Maybe, she dreams, Ben will tire of Ronnie and appreciate Sam’s love of books and artistic talents. And maybe he will notice those pretty green eyes behind her glasses.
What sounds like a simple story of first love is much more complex, however, because the Cross family has been upended by crisis. The girls’ parents have separated, money is tight and their mother Darlene is drinking too much. Between Darlene working the night shift and her father far away in Alberta, Sam and Ronnie are on their own to navigate the new social terrain. High school starts in a couple months but for now it’s new friends, parties and Ben.
Ben may seem like the perfect guy, but he is keeping his own family problems shut tight in his head. As the weeks pass, sibling rivalry, jealousy, misunderstandings and fistfights add tension to romance and friendship and the Cross family spirals towards disaster.
Calmer Girls is a realistic and at times, edgy Young Adult coming of age novel, taking the typical problems of adolescence and placing it in a part of the world many people have not seen. Perry also includes the important themes of alcoholism, abuse and economic downturn to make her story both relevant and meaningful. Set in the 1990s, readers will also enjoy many references to popular music, including Pearl Jam, Green Day, REM and Nirvana.
I very much enjoyed reading Calmer Girls. Newfoundland, Canada sounds like a beautiful place and it’s easy to picture the scenes, thanks to Perry’s descriptive talent. From a sizzling plate of “chips” and gravy, seasoned with packets of vinegar and salt, to city street scenes and the beauty of the sea, Calmer Girls is both a love story and a visit to a charming place.
What sounds like a simple story of first love is much more complex, however, because the Cross family has been upended by crisis. The girls’ parents have separated, money is tight and their mother Darlene is drinking too much. Between Darlene working the night shift and her father far away in Alberta, Sam and Ronnie are on their own to navigate the new social terrain. High school starts in a couple months but for now it’s new friends, parties and Ben.
Ben may seem like the perfect guy, but he is keeping his own family problems shut tight in his head. As the weeks pass, sibling rivalry, jealousy, misunderstandings and fistfights add tension to romance and friendship and the Cross family spirals towards disaster.
Calmer Girls is a realistic and at times, edgy Young Adult coming of age novel, taking the typical problems of adolescence and placing it in a part of the world many people have not seen. Perry also includes the important themes of alcoholism, abuse and economic downturn to make her story both relevant and meaningful. Set in the 1990s, readers will also enjoy many references to popular music, including Pearl Jam, Green Day, REM and Nirvana.
I very much enjoyed reading Calmer Girls. Newfoundland, Canada sounds like a beautiful place and it’s easy to picture the scenes, thanks to Perry’s descriptive talent. From a sizzling plate of “chips” and gravy, seasoned with packets of vinegar and salt, to city street scenes and the beauty of the sea, Calmer Girls is both a love story and a visit to a charming place.
August 23, 2017
This book was exciting and I found myself turning page after page, glued to every word.
It’s a simple story in some ways – two sisters, Samantha and Veronica, falling for the same guy. However, there is a lot to this great book. I was moved by the outside forces which shook the family. How memories of lost relatives impact on the characters, and who the two sisters move through a gamut of emotions and feelings for others, and each other.
This book is about growing up in a vastly changing world. It offers some solid role models for its YA audience who, I believe, will be able to relate to and create a bond with.
It’s a simple story in some ways – two sisters, Samantha and Veronica, falling for the same guy. However, there is a lot to this great book. I was moved by the outside forces which shook the family. How memories of lost relatives impact on the characters, and who the two sisters move through a gamut of emotions and feelings for others, and each other.
This book is about growing up in a vastly changing world. It offers some solid role models for its YA audience who, I believe, will be able to relate to and create a bond with.
July 16, 2017
We've all been there - young love and everything that is great in the eyes of a teenager. It is the same for sisters Samantha & Veronica as they find their bearings in a new town. As with all sibling rivalry, sometimes both want the same toy - or in this case - boy.
The start of the book was a bit slow and I found it a little difficult to get thru it. But as you go along - you will see why it was necessary to set the scene for the rest of the story and the next book.
While not my usual genre choice - it was not a bad book overall.
The start of the book was a bit slow and I found it a little difficult to get thru it. But as you go along - you will see why it was necessary to set the scene for the rest of the story and the next book.
While not my usual genre choice - it was not a bad book overall.
October 7, 2019
It’s not easy to have a sister who is a little older than you because there is a lot of competition and fighting. In Calmer Girls, two teen sisters, Samantha and Veronica fall in love with Ben.
Samantha is the youngest sister, studious, shy, and creative. Veronica is the older sister, beautiful and outgoing. This happens in the middle of a lot of other problems such as their parent’s marriage that falls apart, moving to a new place, alcoholism of their mother, aging of a grandparent and dementia.
It’s a love story with family drama, a lot of bad decisions, and how difficult it is to grow up.
Samantha is the youngest sister, studious, shy, and creative. Veronica is the older sister, beautiful and outgoing. This happens in the middle of a lot of other problems such as their parent’s marriage that falls apart, moving to a new place, alcoholism of their mother, aging of a grandparent and dementia.
It’s a love story with family drama, a lot of bad decisions, and how difficult it is to grow up.
April 28, 2017
I have a sister that is older than me. I believe we have different tastes in men, most of the time.....lol. I can see, though, how that could be a very sticky situation. This book was good I liked the sisters and the minor characters around them. I think I can relate well to this series and it's plot. The author makes Canada sounds like a wonderful and beautiful place. * I received this book from the author---this is my honest review*
February 4, 2020
Editorial Review from OnlineBookClub.org:
4 out of 4 stars… “The author did an incredible job of writing a detailed story that didn’t conform to the clichés of so many other young adult romance books… Calmer Girls was an amazing book that I definitely recommend.”
4 out of 4 stars… “The author did an incredible job of writing a detailed story that didn’t conform to the clichés of so many other young adult romance books… Calmer Girls was an amazing book that I definitely recommend.”
December 23, 2021
Samantha is the introverted, artistic, good girl sister of beautiful party girl Veronica. Veronica is very self-absorbed and can be cruel to her little sister. Their parents have separated and their mother has moved the girls across the island , away from their father. Their mother, Darlene, upset over the separation and her husband's responses (including not always sending money for the girls) finds it hard to keep a job and begins to drink far too much. Samantha feels so alone. She falls for a handsome boy, Ben, but what will happen? Every boy is always attracted to Veronica at Samantha's expense. The book explores these events and lead to a dramatic climax.
The characterization of Samantha is so well done. She is a good girl, but when she goes a bit "bad," we can understand why. She's only human, after all. Perry uses quotes from the Bronte books to begin every chapter, and they relate very well to what is going on. When Samantha begins to "act out," the very next chapter begins with a quote that made me nod my head in agreement. The quotes add to the story being told, and they are meant to show what Samantha herself is reading (Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights). Veronica is less carefully drawn, but that is because the reader is really seeing her through Samantha's eyes. Samantha has every reason to despise her sister. The question is, does her view change by the end of the book? Read it and find out! You won't be disappointed!
The characterization of Samantha is so well done. She is a good girl, but when she goes a bit "bad," we can understand why. She's only human, after all. Perry uses quotes from the Bronte books to begin every chapter, and they relate very well to what is going on. When Samantha begins to "act out," the very next chapter begins with a quote that made me nod my head in agreement. The quotes add to the story being told, and they are meant to show what Samantha herself is reading (Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights). Veronica is less carefully drawn, but that is because the reader is really seeing her through Samantha's eyes. Samantha has every reason to despise her sister. The question is, does her view change by the end of the book? Read it and find out! You won't be disappointed!
April 3, 2017
I don't know how to go about reviewing this book. This book made me feel a lot of heavy emotions and is a very memorable read for many reasons.
For beginners, this is completely third person/ narrative style. I don't usually read third person since I prefer first person any time any day, but the author of the book, had clearly told it's something I would love going by the kind of books I like to read and that's exactly why I decided to give it a try.
To be very frank it took me time to get into the book. Three to four chapters actually. This book is set during the end of 90's and the settings too is that of a small town. So even for the dialect to grow on me, it took time. I am not saying it was not written well, in fact, it's the other way round. It felt so authentic that it took me time to get used to it since I was unfamiliar with such style of writing.
The story was unusual and packed with a lot of surprises without taking the usual route stories like this tend to take. I was met with a lot of surprises and unprecedented events towards the end of the story. Unique and unpredictable will be the right words to describe it. Having said that, I still feel this book was a little too long and not that I mind reaading long books ( my own books are quiet long) but certain scenes that doesn't add much to the storyline could have been shortened and chopped to make it more of a crispy read. The pacing goes slow during the middle but the surprises and sudden twists in the story compensates for that.
This book was also quite overwhelming and painful for me. There are certain scenes and the whole family situation which totally broke my heart and it was hard to imagine the teen characters stuck in such miserable situations. I really felt sorry for them and it made me think of the actual poeple who are probably living such sorrowful lives. For that again, kudos to the author for sketching such a realistic story and I also have to give her credits for the beautiful description of the town, the weather and even their moods. It was very picturesque.
I wouldn't call this a simple love triangle though by reading the blurb it sounds like it. There is so much to this book. Family bonds, growing up, responsibility, guilt, mistakes..I can go on and on... It is a beautiful package. Regarding the characters, our main protagonist is Samantha. I liked her and though her actions towards the end were pretty surprising, I knew where she was coming from. I felt sorry for her for the way her sister treated her but she has always been strong and mature. Ben was a complex guy and there was so much more to him than what met the eyes. Getting attracted to Veronica was probably the biggest mistake of his life but then again, I can't blame him either..it's typical boys nature at his age. I didn't love him much but I didn't dislike him either. I was more interested in unraveling his mystery. Coming to Veronica, I hated her. I rather have no sister than having sister like her though towards the end she kind of showed signs of redemption/ changing. She was very hostile, mean and outright rude. To an extent I could understand why she was the way she was but still that doesn't justify her actions. The other friends were a complex breed and I could empathize with Kalen the most. Then again they are still teenagers, so their mistakes can be overseen as immaturity. They are still growing up afterall.
So overall this book is definitely worth a read. I am happy that I gave it a try and I can't wait for the sequel. I am not sure when it is releasing but I will undoubtedly read it as soon as I can. This author is definitely worth checking out, she writes beautifully.
4.5 stars.
For beginners, this is completely third person/ narrative style. I don't usually read third person since I prefer first person any time any day, but the author of the book, had clearly told it's something I would love going by the kind of books I like to read and that's exactly why I decided to give it a try.
To be very frank it took me time to get into the book. Three to four chapters actually. This book is set during the end of 90's and the settings too is that of a small town. So even for the dialect to grow on me, it took time. I am not saying it was not written well, in fact, it's the other way round. It felt so authentic that it took me time to get used to it since I was unfamiliar with such style of writing.
The story was unusual and packed with a lot of surprises without taking the usual route stories like this tend to take. I was met with a lot of surprises and unprecedented events towards the end of the story. Unique and unpredictable will be the right words to describe it. Having said that, I still feel this book was a little too long and not that I mind reaading long books ( my own books are quiet long) but certain scenes that doesn't add much to the storyline could have been shortened and chopped to make it more of a crispy read. The pacing goes slow during the middle but the surprises and sudden twists in the story compensates for that.
This book was also quite overwhelming and painful for me. There are certain scenes and the whole family situation which totally broke my heart and it was hard to imagine the teen characters stuck in such miserable situations. I really felt sorry for them and it made me think of the actual poeple who are probably living such sorrowful lives. For that again, kudos to the author for sketching such a realistic story and I also have to give her credits for the beautiful description of the town, the weather and even their moods. It was very picturesque.
I wouldn't call this a simple love triangle though by reading the blurb it sounds like it. There is so much to this book. Family bonds, growing up, responsibility, guilt, mistakes..I can go on and on... It is a beautiful package. Regarding the characters, our main protagonist is Samantha. I liked her and though her actions towards the end were pretty surprising, I knew where she was coming from. I felt sorry for her for the way her sister treated her but she has always been strong and mature. Ben was a complex guy and there was so much more to him than what met the eyes. Getting attracted to Veronica was probably the biggest mistake of his life but then again, I can't blame him either..it's typical boys nature at his age. I didn't love him much but I didn't dislike him either. I was more interested in unraveling his mystery. Coming to Veronica, I hated her. I rather have no sister than having sister like her though towards the end she kind of showed signs of redemption/ changing. She was very hostile, mean and outright rude. To an extent I could understand why she was the way she was but still that doesn't justify her actions. The other friends were a complex breed and I could empathize with Kalen the most. Then again they are still teenagers, so their mistakes can be overseen as immaturity. They are still growing up afterall.
So overall this book is definitely worth a read. I am happy that I gave it a try and I can't wait for the sequel. I am not sure when it is releasing but I will undoubtedly read it as soon as I can. This author is definitely worth checking out, she writes beautifully.
4.5 stars.
April 2, 2019
I received a copy of this book directly from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I have to say, Calmer Girls by Jennifer Kelland Perry was not exactly what I expected. Though labeled as a Young Adult Contemporary Romance, I would venture to say that the book isn’t much of a romance at all. Instead, I’d say that the true calling of this book is as a Contemporary Coming of Age story, or perhaps even venturing into Literary territory. Romance it was not – because despite the core of the plot revolving around a single boy who has two sisters falling madly in love with him…. there really isn’t much romance to be had. This was more of a story about a broken family in a small town trying their best to skate by in life, and the bumps that got in their way. One of those bumps just happened to be a boy equally as broken as they are.
The plot dealt with themes of domestic abuse, adultery, divorce, alcoholism, dementia, teen pregnancy, and a whole host of other problems, and for the most part, the author integrated these believably into the narrative. I did have a few qualms though that kept this from being a five-star read. Maybe it is my ignorance surrounding the local of the story – and that may very well be – but despite the fact that two underage girls were drinking alcohol and having sex with a boy who was very much considered an adult (18), there was never any mention in the narrative by any of the characters about the dangers of what they were doing from the law’s perspective. The girls never made a nod to the idea that what they were doing could be considered illegal or how their actions may play out for the boy (man) they were dating. I’d be willing to even let that slide, considering the terrible parenting the girls were in the midst of at the time… but there was another problem. I had a hard time pinning down Samantha, the protagonist of our story and the voice of narration. Though clearly written to be 16 years of age, she didn’t act 16. The language she used and her thought processes tended to meander between being hopelessly naïve – making her seem barely older than 10 or 12 – or they pushed her in the other direction and made her seem much older than she was.
I didn’t dislike the book, however. I enjoyed the characters. I enjoyed their troubles and drama, and for the most part, the book was very well written and engaging. Overall, I really enjoyed the story. If you like literary coming of age stories, I think this book will probably be right up your alley – but I wouldn’t go into reading it thinking that it will be a true YA Romance, because that isn’t really what it is – and you’ll be disappointed if that’s what you’re looking for.
On a more personal note: I really wanted Samantha to wizen up and date Kalen. He seemed sweet.
I have to say, Calmer Girls by Jennifer Kelland Perry was not exactly what I expected. Though labeled as a Young Adult Contemporary Romance, I would venture to say that the book isn’t much of a romance at all. Instead, I’d say that the true calling of this book is as a Contemporary Coming of Age story, or perhaps even venturing into Literary territory. Romance it was not – because despite the core of the plot revolving around a single boy who has two sisters falling madly in love with him…. there really isn’t much romance to be had. This was more of a story about a broken family in a small town trying their best to skate by in life, and the bumps that got in their way. One of those bumps just happened to be a boy equally as broken as they are.
The plot dealt with themes of domestic abuse, adultery, divorce, alcoholism, dementia, teen pregnancy, and a whole host of other problems, and for the most part, the author integrated these believably into the narrative. I did have a few qualms though that kept this from being a five-star read. Maybe it is my ignorance surrounding the local of the story – and that may very well be – but despite the fact that two underage girls were drinking alcohol and having sex with a boy who was very much considered an adult (18), there was never any mention in the narrative by any of the characters about the dangers of what they were doing from the law’s perspective. The girls never made a nod to the idea that what they were doing could be considered illegal or how their actions may play out for the boy (man) they were dating. I’d be willing to even let that slide, considering the terrible parenting the girls were in the midst of at the time… but there was another problem. I had a hard time pinning down Samantha, the protagonist of our story and the voice of narration. Though clearly written to be 16 years of age, she didn’t act 16. The language she used and her thought processes tended to meander between being hopelessly naïve – making her seem barely older than 10 or 12 – or they pushed her in the other direction and made her seem much older than she was.
I didn’t dislike the book, however. I enjoyed the characters. I enjoyed their troubles and drama, and for the most part, the book was very well written and engaging. Overall, I really enjoyed the story. If you like literary coming of age stories, I think this book will probably be right up your alley – but I wouldn’t go into reading it thinking that it will be a true YA Romance, because that isn’t really what it is – and you’ll be disappointed if that’s what you’re looking for.
On a more personal note: I really wanted Samantha to wizen up and date Kalen. He seemed sweet.
May 7, 2016
Life is never as it seems
From the first pages I related to Samantha the shy teen in a new town. The soured relationship with her confident and brash big sister. The fact she has a crush on her sisters good-looking boyfriend. She is in a difficult place, it happens.
Throw in a broken mother at the helm of this dysfunctional family. Samantha’s wild decisions all seem to make sense, in a melancholy way. This novel touches on the subject of dysfunctional families. An issue many have experienced. Either through our own lives or someone we know. It's a story about young love and the choices we make under difficult life circumstances.
Jennifer Kelland Perry has weaved a well-rounded, yet believable tale. With strong characters and a wanting to see this girl find her happiness. But life is never as it seems. The story though resolved. Leaves you curious to know how they deal, after such tragic events. I would like to see some answers. What will Samantha and her sister Veronica do next to bring some normal back into their lives. Is their relationship destined to disintegrate further after every thing that occurs?
As this is Jennifer’s debut novel I have no doubt that her next book will be just as captivating. Especially for YA fans. I will be eagerly waiting to see what she does next.
From the first pages I related to Samantha the shy teen in a new town. The soured relationship with her confident and brash big sister. The fact she has a crush on her sisters good-looking boyfriend. She is in a difficult place, it happens.
Throw in a broken mother at the helm of this dysfunctional family. Samantha’s wild decisions all seem to make sense, in a melancholy way. This novel touches on the subject of dysfunctional families. An issue many have experienced. Either through our own lives or someone we know. It's a story about young love and the choices we make under difficult life circumstances.
Jennifer Kelland Perry has weaved a well-rounded, yet believable tale. With strong characters and a wanting to see this girl find her happiness. But life is never as it seems. The story though resolved. Leaves you curious to know how they deal, after such tragic events. I would like to see some answers. What will Samantha and her sister Veronica do next to bring some normal back into their lives. Is their relationship destined to disintegrate further after every thing that occurs?
As this is Jennifer’s debut novel I have no doubt that her next book will be just as captivating. Especially for YA fans. I will be eagerly waiting to see what she does next.
August 21, 2019
I’ve had this book in my to-be-read Kindle pile for quite a while but hesitated because I don’t read much young adult fiction. But on vacation I’ve had a chance to go through some of my pile, and I was more than pleasantly surprised with Calmer Girls. The writing is beautifully descriptive not only of the setting in Newfoundland in a small town where the two teenage sisters came from but also what they think of as the larger “city“ where they now live. The sibling rivalry is intense but believable because of the situation the two sisters are placed in with their parents’ separation, financial difficulties, and straddling the world from childhood to adulthood. The main character’s voice, Samantha, is so fresh and real that as a reader I was not turned off by the many difficult issues she had to deal with, including dementia of a grandparent, alcoholism of a grandfather and her mother, and teenage pregnancy. Samantha makes many bad choices as she tries to figure out her life while feeling abandoned by her father, but reading about her choices helps us understand the mind have a teenage girl. I highly recommend this well-written YA novel.
February 6, 2017
Jennifer Kelland's Calmer Girls (Take the Plunge Publishing 2016) is a wonderfully constructed story about two sisters who are polar opposites except for the boy they both have fallen for. When their mother and father separate, they must move away from Calmer Cove to a new area with new friends and new challenges. They've always engaged in raucous sibling rivalry, but both falling for the same boy doesn't help at all. This wonderful YA book touches on all those topics so important to this age group. I'd recommend it for parents looking for a G-rated story that will grab their child's attention while helping them understand important issues.
One more item that makes this story unique: this glorious poem in Chapter One:
"For the wind was on her quarter, and the engines working free
There's not another whaler, that sails the Arctic Sea
Can beat the Old Polina, you need not try me sons
For we challenged all, both great and small, from Dundee to St. John's."
I thought of this poem often as I read this story.
One more item that makes this story unique: this glorious poem in Chapter One:
"For the wind was on her quarter, and the engines working free
There's not another whaler, that sails the Arctic Sea
Can beat the Old Polina, you need not try me sons
For we challenged all, both great and small, from Dundee to St. John's."
I thought of this poem often as I read this story.
April 16, 2016
Although I'm not normally a reader of YA fiction, it was easy to relate to these well-drafted characters and the difficulties their lives posed, from parental divorce and a move to two teen sisters falling for the same boy. Lots of drama with real-life consequences make this an important and gripping read for teens of a similar age. But with its rich description and ability to take the reader back to his or her own youth, adults will enjoy it too. I also loved the setting of Newfoundland, Canada. Took me to a place I haven't read much about before.
August 12, 2017
Samantha has always felt inferior to her older sister Veronica which only escalates when they move to a new town due to family problems and her first friend and potential crush has his eyes on Veronica after they meet and she makes it clear she likes him too regardless of Samantha's feelings. Samantha's hoping in the end her shy style will win out in the end to her sisters over the top personality.
This was a fast paced story with lots of family drama, resentments & jealousy.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book
This was a fast paced story with lots of family drama, resentments & jealousy.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book
August 17, 2017
This is a very well written, enjoyable book about a tug of love between two very different sisters who both fall for the same guy. The story is well crafted and the characters are believable - as it progressed I even started to feel a little sorry for the older sister Ronnie (Veronica). I can usually pick the ending in a book but not in this case and it wasn't what I expected at all - I guess to leave the door open for further books in this series. A satisfying read which left me wanting more.
July 13, 2018
Calmer girls is a heartbreaking look at what having depression and being naïve can mean in a family with complicated dynamics. The setting was intriguing and well described. Although Samantha sometimes frustrates the reader, I think anyone can relate to the challenges of making life-changing decisions at 16.
September 22, 2017
Cute little book, especially if you are an east coaster I'm sure, as the sayings/dialect are a little different!
June 9, 2021
I usually don’t read much YA relationship-based drama, but this book has been on my radar for a few years, and I decided to dive in. I’m glad I did. The writing is polished, the story had me hooked, and these aren’t teenage characters with frivolous problems. Samantha, her sister, and her mom are all flawed, as is Ben, the love interest of the two sisters.
The story unfolds in Samantha’s point of view. Her family is falling apart. Her father has moved away, and her mother is drinking too much. Money is tight. Samantha has a crush on Ben, but he falls for her sister, Veronica. Samantha takes a hit to her self esteem, but when the relationship fails, Samantha and Ben get a chance at love.
But it’s not that easy. Resentment drives a wedge between the sisters, and mistakes aren’t going to simply disappear. Ben has some problems of his own that the author waits to reveal. The mystery around his character and issues was intriguing, and I didn’t fully trust him. I had no idea how the story was going to resolve, and that question made me read well into the night.
Ultimately the story is about a family growing up, about dealing with love, disappointment, and wounded hearts. I could relate to how painful that process was for every character in the book. Wonderful writing and highly relatable characters. Definitely recommended for readers of YA drama and family sagas.
The story unfolds in Samantha’s point of view. Her family is falling apart. Her father has moved away, and her mother is drinking too much. Money is tight. Samantha has a crush on Ben, but he falls for her sister, Veronica. Samantha takes a hit to her self esteem, but when the relationship fails, Samantha and Ben get a chance at love.
But it’s not that easy. Resentment drives a wedge between the sisters, and mistakes aren’t going to simply disappear. Ben has some problems of his own that the author waits to reveal. The mystery around his character and issues was intriguing, and I didn’t fully trust him. I had no idea how the story was going to resolve, and that question made me read well into the night.
Ultimately the story is about a family growing up, about dealing with love, disappointment, and wounded hearts. I could relate to how painful that process was for every character in the book. Wonderful writing and highly relatable characters. Definitely recommended for readers of YA drama and family sagas.
August 1, 2020
Well written and filled with painful and often heartfelt passages, Calmer Girls is a look into one life-changing summer of a teenage girl's life. A deeply flawed family relocated by divorce and poverty takes the reader on a not so easy journey. Bad choices, tumultuous relationships, and lack of familial support made for a novel filled with angst, jealousy and eventual understanding.
The family dysfunction left me empathetic even for the members I detested. The author really captured the emotions of a girl coming of age, her chaotic life and heartbreaking realization that she had to learn the hard way. I found Calmer Girls to be a fast-moving read I barely put down to the end.
The family dysfunction left me empathetic even for the members I detested. The author really captured the emotions of a girl coming of age, her chaotic life and heartbreaking realization that she had to learn the hard way. I found Calmer Girls to be a fast-moving read I barely put down to the end.
March 23, 2017
*Thank you to the author for a free e-copy in exchange for an honest review.*
Actual Rating: 3.5
There are no words to describe how much time I spent thinking about what to rate this book. 4 stars was much too high. But 3 stars was much too low - this book deserves better. In the end, I decided to go with the latter.
Calmer Girls is about sixteen-year-old Samantha Cross, who is struggling with dysfunctional parents and an older sister who is a hundred times more confident and outgoing than she is. When she meets Ben Swift, everything feels like it is falling into place - until Ben becomes her sister's boyfriend. It's a battle between common sense and her own desires, but one thing is certain: somebody is in for a broken heart.
The writing style was perhaps my favorite part of the book. It was fluent and engaging, and that was what made this book easy to understand and hard to put down.
It was a very quick read (I finished in one sitting), and the plot definitely moves along very quickly. Lots of things happened in the book, and although I liked the excitement, I wish the development was slower and I had more time to take deep breaths. Other than the pacing, I thought the plot itself was definitely a wild ride; it was dramatic and full of ups and down - although sometimes I just wanted to throw my phone against the wall and scream at the main character to get it together.
With that being said, I definitely disagreed with a lot of Samantha's actions, and although I felt extremely frustrated, it was easy to see that that was the entire point. My opinion on this book's characters is tied in with the fast plot; because of the speed, I felt like the character arc happened a bit abruptly, and I would have wished to see a more gradual development. Especially around the 80% mark, I felt like Samantha began to lose a bit of her voice, and although some scenes may have been used for the build-up, she felt very out of character.
I also wish I saw a little more of her sister, Veronica. For most of the book, she felt very one-dimensional, and although we saw a glimpse of a different side to her at the end, for most of the book she just seemed painted as the terrible, selfish, arrogant big sister.
I do think that a lot of the issues I had with the book were due to speed, and the author's writing style was definitely enough to keep me flipping the pages. This story is definitely something different though; at the beginning, I had felt like it was just another YA romance, but the story really took an unexpected turn. I commend the author for addressing several important social themes as well. Overall, this was a quick read and definitely one I would recommend to readers of contemporary YA who were looking for something apart from the typical love story.
Actual Rating: 3.5
There are no words to describe how much time I spent thinking about what to rate this book. 4 stars was much too high. But 3 stars was much too low - this book deserves better. In the end, I decided to go with the latter.
Calmer Girls is about sixteen-year-old Samantha Cross, who is struggling with dysfunctional parents and an older sister who is a hundred times more confident and outgoing than she is. When she meets Ben Swift, everything feels like it is falling into place - until Ben becomes her sister's boyfriend. It's a battle between common sense and her own desires, but one thing is certain: somebody is in for a broken heart.
The writing style was perhaps my favorite part of the book. It was fluent and engaging, and that was what made this book easy to understand and hard to put down.
It was a very quick read (I finished in one sitting), and the plot definitely moves along very quickly. Lots of things happened in the book, and although I liked the excitement, I wish the development was slower and I had more time to take deep breaths. Other than the pacing, I thought the plot itself was definitely a wild ride; it was dramatic and full of ups and down - although sometimes I just wanted to throw my phone against the wall and scream at the main character to get it together.
With that being said, I definitely disagreed with a lot of Samantha's actions, and although I felt extremely frustrated, it was easy to see that that was the entire point. My opinion on this book's characters is tied in with the fast plot; because of the speed, I felt like the character arc happened a bit abruptly, and I would have wished to see a more gradual development. Especially around the 80% mark, I felt like Samantha began to lose a bit of her voice, and although some scenes may have been used for the build-up, she felt very out of character.
I also wish I saw a little more of her sister, Veronica. For most of the book, she felt very one-dimensional, and although we saw a glimpse of a different side to her at the end, for most of the book she just seemed painted as the terrible, selfish, arrogant big sister.
I do think that a lot of the issues I had with the book were due to speed, and the author's writing style was definitely enough to keep me flipping the pages. This story is definitely something different though; at the beginning, I had felt like it was just another YA romance, but the story really took an unexpected turn. I commend the author for addressing several important social themes as well. Overall, this was a quick read and definitely one I would recommend to readers of contemporary YA who were looking for something apart from the typical love story.
April 14, 2018
Reviewed for YA Books Central
Young love makes one foolish.
The story:
Samantha is not the girl people are drawn to. Being quiet, studious, and artsy makes moving to a new town difficult. After her parents painful separation and her mothers subsequent issues, all Sam has is her sister Veronica. Veronica is the kind of person she wishes she could be. Carefree. Fun.
So when the boy Sam likes falls for her sister, she isn't surprised. But the match isn't one made in heaven. The sisters aren't the only people with an ocean of differences between them. As Sam and Ben grow closer, one thing becomes clear. She's in love with her sister's boyfriend.
What I liked:
Sam is a likable enough character. Despite her desperation, she's easy to root for. I truly wanted her to be happy. To get away from her family and have everything she wanted.
The writing is smooth and easy to keep turning pages.
What was just okay:
The story line was a bit ridiculous. The teens acted in extreme ways that we highly unbelievable and unstable. Love makes you do stupid things, but not THAT stupid of things. Ben had a lot of issues, but none of them excused his actions. Maybe if more time was spent delving into his depression, I wouldn't have disliked him so much. Sam deserved so much better. Frankly, so did Veronica.
Final Verdict:
A heartbreaking story about what it means to be young, in love, and a little bit broken. A well-written story that won't soon be forgotten.
Young love makes one foolish.
The story:
Samantha is not the girl people are drawn to. Being quiet, studious, and artsy makes moving to a new town difficult. After her parents painful separation and her mothers subsequent issues, all Sam has is her sister Veronica. Veronica is the kind of person she wishes she could be. Carefree. Fun.
So when the boy Sam likes falls for her sister, she isn't surprised. But the match isn't one made in heaven. The sisters aren't the only people with an ocean of differences between them. As Sam and Ben grow closer, one thing becomes clear. She's in love with her sister's boyfriend.
What I liked:
Sam is a likable enough character. Despite her desperation, she's easy to root for. I truly wanted her to be happy. To get away from her family and have everything she wanted.
The writing is smooth and easy to keep turning pages.
What was just okay:
The story line was a bit ridiculous. The teens acted in extreme ways that we highly unbelievable and unstable. Love makes you do stupid things, but not THAT stupid of things. Ben had a lot of issues, but none of them excused his actions. Maybe if more time was spent delving into his depression, I wouldn't have disliked him so much. Sam deserved so much better. Frankly, so did Veronica.
Final Verdict:
A heartbreaking story about what it means to be young, in love, and a little bit broken. A well-written story that won't soon be forgotten.
October 2, 2017
This book is well-written, and the plot moves at the pace of real life. The author paints a convincing picture of two teenage sisters forced to grow up by harsh economic realities as well as by the consequences of their own first love (who happens to be the same boy, with troubles of his own). While the first few chapters open with quotes from Emily Bronte, these no longer appear through the rest of the book (with only one recurrence in the middle), giving the sense of inconsistent structure. Since Bronte is so important to the main character, I would expect to see some of her reflections on the books rather than mere mention of her reading them. Her sister Veronica deserves more attention toward the end of the book, to show how she has matured vs. simply being told.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
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