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Summer Constellations
Julia Ducharme is ready for a fresh start. Her little brother has finally recovered from a serious illness, and now she just wants to enjoy peak season at the campground her family owns. Maybe this will be the year her annual summer fling with Dan Schaeffer becomes something more?But her summer dreams are quickly shattered. First, Dan arrives for vacation with a new girlfriend in tow, and then Julia discovers this may be her last summer in the only home she's ever known.Crushing medical bills have brought her single mom to the brink of bankruptcy, and a wealthy developer is sniffing around the campground. He sees what Julia sees: lush woods, a pristine lake, miles of trails for adventure. Unlike Julia, he thinks this is the perfect spot for a casino resort.Heartbroken and afraid, Julia looks to the stars for some perspective. Taking her telescope down to the dock one night, she has a chance encounter with a guitar-playing boy who offers some helpful advice. Too bad this handsome stranger is the developer's son, Nick Constantine.As plans for a resort move forward, Julia is desperate to find a solution that doesn't mean leaving the lake. Nick, in turn, is desperate to separate himself from his father's aggressive business tactics. He promises that, together, they can thwart the sale.But can Julia trust him to conspire against his own father? And could she ever she trust him with her heart?SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS is a story of lost summers, hidden treasure and love written in the stars. It is also a thoughtful reflection on what it means to love --- and leave --- one's childhood home.
264 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2018
15 people are currently reading
1623 people want to read
About the author
Alisha Sevigny
11 books244 followersAlisha Sevigny holds a degree in Professional Writing and Sociology from the University of Victoria, is a film school graduate, former literary agent and hot yoga lover.
A shameless romantic, Alisha and her husband have travelled the world together. On a trip to Panama she fell in love with the country, culture, and their national emblem, the Golden Frog and was inspired to write her first Young Adult novel, KISSING FROGS.
Her second book, SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS is about a young woman fighting to save her family campground while trying not to fall in love, comes out May 1, 2018 with KCP Loft.
Born and raised in Kitimat, British Columbia, Alisha has always had a strong connection to the environment and conservationist spirit. She now lives in Toronto with her family.
A shameless romantic, Alisha and her husband have travelled the world together. On a trip to Panama she fell in love with the country, culture, and their national emblem, the Golden Frog and was inspired to write her first Young Adult novel, KISSING FROGS.
Her second book, SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS is about a young woman fighting to save her family campground while trying not to fall in love, comes out May 1, 2018 with KCP Loft.
Born and raised in Kitimat, British Columbia, Alisha has always had a strong connection to the environment and conservationist spirit. She now lives in Toronto with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
February 26, 2018
In SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS, Julia's summer starts off horribly wrong. First, her mom shares the news that their family camp might be sold, then she gets a broken heart from her usual summer fling, and lastly, a betrayal from a stranger.
When Julia meets the tall, dark, and handsome Nick, she didn't realize that he was the possible buyer's son. If she had, she wouldn't have opened up her world of problems to him. But as Julia spends more time with Nick, she can't help but feel that he isn't her enemy, especially when her heart becomes involved. Instead, he might be the key at saving their family camp, which is home to Julia.
I devoured this story in one sitting. I couldn't put it down and found myself captivated by the romance sparking between Nick and Julia. There's so much bad in their past that it helps them to bond and it's also very real to others who have dealt with relatives dying or the impending loss of a home. The ending is one of the best I've read in a while and I loved how everything came together.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to fans of romance or for those going through a hard time. It can be encouraging to see you're not alone and several other people may share the same pain.
When Julia meets the tall, dark, and handsome Nick, she didn't realize that he was the possible buyer's son. If she had, she wouldn't have opened up her world of problems to him. But as Julia spends more time with Nick, she can't help but feel that he isn't her enemy, especially when her heart becomes involved. Instead, he might be the key at saving their family camp, which is home to Julia.
I devoured this story in one sitting. I couldn't put it down and found myself captivated by the romance sparking between Nick and Julia. There's so much bad in their past that it helps them to bond and it's also very real to others who have dealt with relatives dying or the impending loss of a home. The ending is one of the best I've read in a while and I loved how everything came together.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to fans of romance or for those going through a hard time. It can be encouraging to see you're not alone and several other people may share the same pain.
April 14, 2018
I'm a BIT older than this young adult or late teen novel. So, I'll base my review as IF I were a young-un again.
The story takes place on a beloved campground owned by a financially strapped family that they also call HOME. The family needs to sell in order to get out of debt due to a family illness. BUT wait. A group is interested BIG TIME to invest in their property - yeah, casinos and what not. The daughter, Julia, has other ideas and NEEDS ideas to solve the disruption of the campground and the entire land adjacent to it.
Julia is caught off guard and falls in love with - non-other the son of the developer who is staying at the campground. So, is he playing a bit coy and trying to sway her to get on his dad's side on selling to his investors. Emotions and stuff start to happen, of course.
I really think young adults - teenagers too would like this story.
And as you probably guessed - I got this from Goodreads.com at no cost to me AND for an honest review.
The story takes place on a beloved campground owned by a financially strapped family that they also call HOME. The family needs to sell in order to get out of debt due to a family illness. BUT wait. A group is interested BIG TIME to invest in their property - yeah, casinos and what not. The daughter, Julia, has other ideas and NEEDS ideas to solve the disruption of the campground and the entire land adjacent to it.
Julia is caught off guard and falls in love with - non-other the son of the developer who is staying at the campground. So, is he playing a bit coy and trying to sway her to get on his dad's side on selling to his investors. Emotions and stuff start to happen, of course.
I really think young adults - teenagers too would like this story.
And as you probably guessed - I got this from Goodreads.com at no cost to me AND for an honest review.
February 16, 2018
Loved this book!! Sometimes you just need a good, easy read to take you away from it all. A sweet summer Romance that I’m pretty sure every teen dreams of at that age. I ended up pre-ordering some for my girlfriends daughters birthdays and I’m sure they will love it as much as I did.
December 27, 2017
The cover for this wonderful young adult novel evokes thoughts of warm summer nights and burgeoning young love. The cover is 100% perfect for this story.
Poor Julia. In the first chapter alone we discover that just after graduating from high school, her best friend is leaving for the entire summer. Add to that the fact the guy she's had a crush on since age twelve,and with whom she had gotten close the summer before, has arrived at the campground with his gorgeous new girlfriend in tow. Pile that on top of the fact that she's worried about her nine year old brother Caleb's health since he is recovering from a serious bout of Guillain-Barré Syndrome. In fact, it had been so serious that Caleb had spent months hooked up to machines and tubes. And, worst of all, because of their outrageous medical bills, her mother is seriously considering selling their family campground to a developer who wants to erect a casino on the site. All in all, Julia is having a really crappy week.
As Julia seeks comfort from the stars, readers will start to realize just how amazing and special the campground property is.
If you have never been so far into the wilderness that there was no light pollution at all, you are missing out on an incredible experience. Those of us who have been there, will recognize the author's authenticity. It is impossible to fake a proper description of the vastness of the summer sky at night if you've never seen it with your own eyes. This setting is the perfect place for romance to bloom.
The characters are three dimensional and have real world problems. Yes, there is a rich boy, but the main character is a normal girl.
Although the storyline is not rocket-science, it isn't supposed to be. This is a feel good tale about overcoming adversity when the odds are stacked against you, with a side of young love that will have teen readers sighing with anticipation and older readers looking back at that time in their lives with nostalgia.
I rate this book as 4.5 out of 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ and recommend it to readers looking for a book that can be read in a single weekend or for the perfect vacation or beach read.
**I received a free copy of this book from the author.**
My favorite quote from SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS:
"A book always has value, even when it is old and worn."
To read more of my reviews, visit my blog at http://Amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com and follow me on Instagram @Amiesbookreviews
Poor Julia. In the first chapter alone we discover that just after graduating from high school, her best friend is leaving for the entire summer. Add to that the fact the guy she's had a crush on since age twelve,and with whom she had gotten close the summer before, has arrived at the campground with his gorgeous new girlfriend in tow. Pile that on top of the fact that she's worried about her nine year old brother Caleb's health since he is recovering from a serious bout of Guillain-Barré Syndrome. In fact, it had been so serious that Caleb had spent months hooked up to machines and tubes. And, worst of all, because of their outrageous medical bills, her mother is seriously considering selling their family campground to a developer who wants to erect a casino on the site. All in all, Julia is having a really crappy week.
As Julia seeks comfort from the stars, readers will start to realize just how amazing and special the campground property is.
If you have never been so far into the wilderness that there was no light pollution at all, you are missing out on an incredible experience. Those of us who have been there, will recognize the author's authenticity. It is impossible to fake a proper description of the vastness of the summer sky at night if you've never seen it with your own eyes. This setting is the perfect place for romance to bloom.
The characters are three dimensional and have real world problems. Yes, there is a rich boy, but the main character is a normal girl.
Although the storyline is not rocket-science, it isn't supposed to be. This is a feel good tale about overcoming adversity when the odds are stacked against you, with a side of young love that will have teen readers sighing with anticipation and older readers looking back at that time in their lives with nostalgia.
I rate this book as 4.5 out of 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ and recommend it to readers looking for a book that can be read in a single weekend or for the perfect vacation or beach read.
**I received a free copy of this book from the author.**
My favorite quote from SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS:
"A book always has value, even when it is old and worn."
To read more of my reviews, visit my blog at http://Amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com and follow me on Instagram @Amiesbookreviews
May 3, 2018
KIRKUS Reviews, Feb 20/2018
"Recent high school graduate Julia Ducharme’s summer is off to a rough start.
Her best friend, Paige, is traveling to Japan to visit relatives, her longtime crush has shown up with a gorgeous girlfriend, and her mom has announced that she is thinking of selling their family campground and home. Julia’s little brother Caleb is recovering from Guillain-Barré syndrome and is old enough to realize—with distress—that their financial troubles are connected to his long illness. After receiving the terrible news that her home may be sold, Julia meets a beautiful black-haired, olive-skinned stranger on the docks and spills her guts to him. She is shocked and angry to discover that the young man is Nick Constantine, son of the property developer who is looking to buy their campground. Julia and Nick are thrown together, and Nick falls in love both with the campground and Julia, deciding to do all that he can to help them keep their place, or at least keep its integrity intact.
Sevigny’s (Kissing Frogs, 2014) portrayal of the emotional and financial struggles that can accompany illness in America ring true. Julia is a brave, independent, and competent female character who shows that you don’t need to be a femme fatale to be lovable.
A pleasant coming-of-age story for fans of teen romance. (Fiction. 14-18)"
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
"Recent high school graduate Julia Ducharme’s summer is off to a rough start.
Her best friend, Paige, is traveling to Japan to visit relatives, her longtime crush has shown up with a gorgeous girlfriend, and her mom has announced that she is thinking of selling their family campground and home. Julia’s little brother Caleb is recovering from Guillain-Barré syndrome and is old enough to realize—with distress—that their financial troubles are connected to his long illness. After receiving the terrible news that her home may be sold, Julia meets a beautiful black-haired, olive-skinned stranger on the docks and spills her guts to him. She is shocked and angry to discover that the young man is Nick Constantine, son of the property developer who is looking to buy their campground. Julia and Nick are thrown together, and Nick falls in love both with the campground and Julia, deciding to do all that he can to help them keep their place, or at least keep its integrity intact.
Sevigny’s (Kissing Frogs, 2014) portrayal of the emotional and financial struggles that can accompany illness in America ring true. Julia is a brave, independent, and competent female character who shows that you don’t need to be a femme fatale to be lovable.
A pleasant coming-of-age story for fans of teen romance. (Fiction. 14-18)"
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
February 16, 2018
I loved this book. It's the perfect summer romance story, so if you're not a fan of YA romance then it may not be for you. But even if you're not big on the love stuff, there's plenty of other good things going on in here.
The campground setting is full of rich description and the writing is evocative and tight. It felt like I was right there at the lake with Julia and Nick, swimming under the stars and searching for buried treasure.
Julia's self-deprecating voice is hilarious at times and her devotion to her home and her little brother, who's recently come out of a serious illness, are touching, not to mention a thoughtful commentary on the state of health care in the US. Her conflict and confusion over her feelings for Nick felt authentic, especially when thinking back to those younger days of first loves and relationships, where everything can be new and overwhelming.
I highly recommend this book, particularly for those who love stories with fantastic settings. It's a swoon-worthy, page-turning beach read that brings you back to those warm summer nights.
The campground setting is full of rich description and the writing is evocative and tight. It felt like I was right there at the lake with Julia and Nick, swimming under the stars and searching for buried treasure.
Julia's self-deprecating voice is hilarious at times and her devotion to her home and her little brother, who's recently come out of a serious illness, are touching, not to mention a thoughtful commentary on the state of health care in the US. Her conflict and confusion over her feelings for Nick felt authentic, especially when thinking back to those younger days of first loves and relationships, where everything can be new and overwhelming.
I highly recommend this book, particularly for those who love stories with fantastic settings. It's a swoon-worthy, page-turning beach read that brings you back to those warm summer nights.
December 26, 2018
4.5 Stars
Summer Constellations tells the story of a headstrong girl fighting to save her family’s campsite while also falling for its potential buyer’s son. I always love summery reads, but I don’t think I’ve ever read a book in which the main character owns a campsite. This book is light yet serious, and it contains a strong bond between siblings bound to make you smile.
Full review on The Candid Cover
Summer Constellations tells the story of a headstrong girl fighting to save her family’s campsite while also falling for its potential buyer’s son. I always love summery reads, but I don’t think I’ve ever read a book in which the main character owns a campsite. This book is light yet serious, and it contains a strong bond between siblings bound to make you smile.
Full review on The Candid Cover
December 11, 2018
This was NOT the summer Julia had been anticipating. She was looking forward to working the family campground and cuddling up with her maybe-more-than-a-summer-fling, Dan. But, when Dan arrived with her new girlfriend and Julia's mom announced she might be selling the campground, Julia's summer quickly turned into a nightmare.
• Pro: I know, I know, the description I gave above makes this book sound all doom and gloom, but it was actually quite fun, sweet, and touching. Although there are some heavy issues involved, Sevigny keeps it on the lighter side, which fit the summer setting.
• Pro: I was so pro-Nick from our first meet. He came across as kind and open, and yeah, there were swoons too. I loved the banter between him and Julia, but also appreciated the way they went a little deeper with each other.
• Pro: Julia was a fabulous and very independent female. She grew up on the campground and learned how to fix and maintain the property. As amazing as she was, she still had her share of insecurities and abandonment issues, which I liked seeing her work through over the course of the book.
• Pro: Julia had a very sweet and adorable little brother, Caleb, and an interesting and caring mom, Anna. They shared a great dynamic, and though their family suffered some setbacks, they were always there for each other.
• Pro: I am a science nerd, so I adored all the astronomy talk. And "watching" the stars from such a wonderful location made it even better. Did I mention how much I loved the camp setting?
• Pro: The ending was a wee bit rushed, but I did love the final outcome. There was enough of a resolution, and a pretty great one at that, to leave me with a smile on my face.
Overall: A charming summer-of-change story, which featured family, romance, and outdoor fun.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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• Pro: I know, I know, the description I gave above makes this book sound all doom and gloom, but it was actually quite fun, sweet, and touching. Although there are some heavy issues involved, Sevigny keeps it on the lighter side, which fit the summer setting.
• Pro: I was so pro-Nick from our first meet. He came across as kind and open, and yeah, there were swoons too. I loved the banter between him and Julia, but also appreciated the way they went a little deeper with each other.
• Pro: Julia was a fabulous and very independent female. She grew up on the campground and learned how to fix and maintain the property. As amazing as she was, she still had her share of insecurities and abandonment issues, which I liked seeing her work through over the course of the book.
• Pro: Julia had a very sweet and adorable little brother, Caleb, and an interesting and caring mom, Anna. They shared a great dynamic, and though their family suffered some setbacks, they were always there for each other.
• Pro: I am a science nerd, so I adored all the astronomy talk. And "watching" the stars from such a wonderful location made it even better. Did I mention how much I loved the camp setting?
• Pro: The ending was a wee bit rushed, but I did love the final outcome. There was enough of a resolution, and a pretty great one at that, to leave me with a smile on my face.
Overall: A charming summer-of-change story, which featured family, romance, and outdoor fun.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
June 30, 2019
3.5
"Mein Sternschnuppensommer" klang nach einer süßen und leichten Sommergeschichte, auf die ich sehr gespannt war, denn bei schönen sommerlichen Wetter sind solche Geschichten einfach perfekt.
Das Buch war glücklicherweise auch genau das was ich erwartet. Das Setting auf dem Campingplatz in der kanadischen Wildnis ist der Autorin wirklich gut gelungen und man fühlt sich komplett wohl und kann sich alles wunderbar vorstellen.
Die Geschichte hat mit den finanziellen Problemen von Julias Mutter, und der damit verbundenen Gefahr den Campingplatz und ihr Zuhause zu verlieren, auch ein wenig Ernsthaftigkeit. Dennoch stehen die sommerlichen Gefühlen und auch eine nicht ganz so einfach aber dennoch süße Liebesgeschcihte im Vordergrund.
Ich wurde mit dem Buch gut unterhalten und ich habe bekommen, was ich erwartet habe, dennoch hat mir manchmal ein wenig der Zugang zu den Charakteren gefehlt und ich habe nicht so ganz mitgefiebert.
"Mein Sternschnuppensommer" klang nach einer süßen und leichten Sommergeschichte, auf die ich sehr gespannt war, denn bei schönen sommerlichen Wetter sind solche Geschichten einfach perfekt.
Das Buch war glücklicherweise auch genau das was ich erwartet. Das Setting auf dem Campingplatz in der kanadischen Wildnis ist der Autorin wirklich gut gelungen und man fühlt sich komplett wohl und kann sich alles wunderbar vorstellen.
Die Geschichte hat mit den finanziellen Problemen von Julias Mutter, und der damit verbundenen Gefahr den Campingplatz und ihr Zuhause zu verlieren, auch ein wenig Ernsthaftigkeit. Dennoch stehen die sommerlichen Gefühlen und auch eine nicht ganz so einfach aber dennoch süße Liebesgeschcihte im Vordergrund.
Ich wurde mit dem Buch gut unterhalten und ich habe bekommen, was ich erwartet habe, dennoch hat mir manchmal ein wenig der Zugang zu den Charakteren gefehlt und ich habe nicht so ganz mitgefiebert.
April 22, 2018
Actual Rating: 4.5*
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.
I loved this one. The perfect summer romance. See my full review soon on Books and Ladders!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.
I loved this one. The perfect summer romance. See my full review soon on Books and Ladders!
August 15, 2018
Reading this transported me to a summer cottage every time I opened the book, and seeing how there is snow outside right now, I am not complaining!
Julia's family has owned and lived on a camp ground that people rent cottages on every summer, but ever since her brother got sick, her mother has been unable to find the money to continue running the place. When her mother calls in a developer to see if they can sell the property, Julia is crushed. However, when she starts getting closer to the developer's son, things start to get even more complicated.
This was a really cute and light read. Yay for winning an ARC in a Goodreads giveaway or else I might never have discovered this. Thank you Kids Can Press for the copy. I'm really glad I enjoyed it so much :)
Julia's family has owned and lived on a camp ground that people rent cottages on every summer, but ever since her brother got sick, her mother has been unable to find the money to continue running the place. When her mother calls in a developer to see if they can sell the property, Julia is crushed. However, when she starts getting closer to the developer's son, things start to get even more complicated.
This was a really cute and light read. Yay for winning an ARC in a Goodreads giveaway or else I might never have discovered this. Thank you Kids Can Press for the copy. I'm really glad I enjoyed it so much :)
November 7, 2017
This book made me feel all the feels. Nick *sigh*. LOVE
November 10, 2017
The characters are developed and interesting - you want to see them get together. But beyond the romance, there's also a very good, page-turning story. Wonderful.
October 16, 2019
If I could sum up Summer Constellations by Alisha Sevigny in one word, it would be SWEET.
Sweet and cute and adorable.
A summer romance, the kind we all long for in our youth, which breaks the mold of the typical teenager relationship.
Nick and Julia are meant to be – it’s aligned in the stars, or constellations as it were.
All too good to be true, all too good to be real, but real nonetheless, the story of these two is as pure as it can be.
I was a little frustrated with Julia, aka 'Tink' at times, but I think that had to do with her age and her inability to trust. Totally justifiable however, so once she finally let go of her reservations, and started to believe and trust, her character became more appealing to me.
Nick was gem from his introduction. Patient, kinds, funny, smart, a musician (too good to be true to be honest) and almost unattainably awesome, but Sevigny made it work somehow.
I picked this book on a whim, totally judging it by its cover and I am so glad I did. My only criticism is that I wish I read this book in the summer - it would have been perfect under the stars, outdoors and up north for a beer and a camp fire.
A perfect YA, HEA with NO angst whatsoever.
Like I said. SWEET.
Sweet and cute and adorable.
A summer romance, the kind we all long for in our youth, which breaks the mold of the typical teenager relationship.
Nick and Julia are meant to be – it’s aligned in the stars, or constellations as it were.
All too good to be true, all too good to be real, but real nonetheless, the story of these two is as pure as it can be.
I was a little frustrated with Julia, aka 'Tink' at times, but I think that had to do with her age and her inability to trust. Totally justifiable however, so once she finally let go of her reservations, and started to believe and trust, her character became more appealing to me.
Nick was gem from his introduction. Patient, kinds, funny, smart, a musician (too good to be true to be honest) and almost unattainably awesome, but Sevigny made it work somehow.
I picked this book on a whim, totally judging it by its cover and I am so glad I did. My only criticism is that I wish I read this book in the summer - it would have been perfect under the stars, outdoors and up north for a beer and a camp fire.
A perfect YA, HEA with NO angst whatsoever.
Like I said. SWEET.
May 28, 2018
You can find more of my reviews at Forever 17 Books.
I love a good summer read. Especially young adult summer reads. There is just something so magical about those months when you are a teenager when there is no school and you have time to be with your friends, discover more about yourself, and perhaps spark a little romance, am I right? Summer Constellations is a cute romance read that is perfect to pick up this summer!
Julia’s family owns a campground property, one they all work very hard on together to keep running. But her little brother, Caleb, has just recovered from a serious illness and the medical bills are piling up. When her mother considers selling the property, Julia has a hard time with the thought of losing the home and livelihood she loves. If that wasn’t enough, her summer romance plans with Dan were crushed when he surprises her with a new girlfriend he failed to mention. Things are looking down this summer, until she meets Nick.
What I loved most about Julia was her dedication to her home and the campground that has been passed down in her family. She had no problems putting in some serious work to keep it all running. This was her legacy from a grandfather she adored and she was crushed to think her family may lose it. And the way the author described the land and its amenities made me wish I could go camping there myself. I loved the dynamic between her and her little brother. He’s still coming around from his illness and it was so obvious how much this family truly loved and cared for each other.
Nick is quite the interesting love interest. On the surface he doesn’t seem like someone to get entangled with as he is part of the developers looking to purchase the property. But he is actually extremely sweet and right from the get go wants what is best for Julia and her family, even if that means trying to help them keep their own land. Realistic? Probably not. He did have a ‘too good to be true’ vibe. But I loved how wonderful he treated Julia and her little brother – teaching guitar, cleaning up cabins, star-gazing and setting up events to raise money.
What brought this novel slightly down for me was how quickly the romance started. Julia has been envisioning her summer with Dan for months and completely gets her heart broken and then Nick enters the picture moments later. I’m totally okay with a good rebound relationship but in this case I wish there was more of a romantic build-up instead of the insta-love feel. I think it would have allowed me to connect with the characters, romance, and overall story so much more.
Overall, Summer Constellations was a sweet and easy summer read worth checking out.
I love a good summer read. Especially young adult summer reads. There is just something so magical about those months when you are a teenager when there is no school and you have time to be with your friends, discover more about yourself, and perhaps spark a little romance, am I right? Summer Constellations is a cute romance read that is perfect to pick up this summer!
Julia’s family owns a campground property, one they all work very hard on together to keep running. But her little brother, Caleb, has just recovered from a serious illness and the medical bills are piling up. When her mother considers selling the property, Julia has a hard time with the thought of losing the home and livelihood she loves. If that wasn’t enough, her summer romance plans with Dan were crushed when he surprises her with a new girlfriend he failed to mention. Things are looking down this summer, until she meets Nick.
What I loved most about Julia was her dedication to her home and the campground that has been passed down in her family. She had no problems putting in some serious work to keep it all running. This was her legacy from a grandfather she adored and she was crushed to think her family may lose it. And the way the author described the land and its amenities made me wish I could go camping there myself. I loved the dynamic between her and her little brother. He’s still coming around from his illness and it was so obvious how much this family truly loved and cared for each other.
Nick is quite the interesting love interest. On the surface he doesn’t seem like someone to get entangled with as he is part of the developers looking to purchase the property. But he is actually extremely sweet and right from the get go wants what is best for Julia and her family, even if that means trying to help them keep their own land. Realistic? Probably not. He did have a ‘too good to be true’ vibe. But I loved how wonderful he treated Julia and her little brother – teaching guitar, cleaning up cabins, star-gazing and setting up events to raise money.
What brought this novel slightly down for me was how quickly the romance started. Julia has been envisioning her summer with Dan for months and completely gets her heart broken and then Nick enters the picture moments later. I’m totally okay with a good rebound relationship but in this case I wish there was more of a romantic build-up instead of the insta-love feel. I think it would have allowed me to connect with the characters, romance, and overall story so much more.
Overall, Summer Constellations was a sweet and easy summer read worth checking out.
November 7, 2017
Summer Constellations is a page turner! Countless nights I lost track of time reading excitedly to see what would happen with Jules and Nick and to find out if they could figure out a way for Jules and her family to hold on to their awesome camp ground. The way the story is written I really felt like I knew the characters and their unique personalities. I wish I could find my very own Nick. He sounds dreamy!!!
April 22, 2018
All my reviews can be found at: http://jessicasreadingroom.com
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If Summer Constellations had been published when I was a teenager, it would have most likely been one of my favorite books! It is a perfect summer read for a teen girl, especially if she is going camping. I am not the target demographic for this novel, but I still enjoyed it!
There is the whole summer romance involved and Julia is just the ‘normal’ teenage girl. I would have identified with her as a teen. When she finds out her mom may be selling the only home she has ever known she is not happy at all. She works to try to do everything she can to prevent the sale from happening. And then there is Nick…. Oh wow: Should she trust him or not? Is he just taking advantage of her situation to get what he wants? And what does he really want?????
I am not a quick reader but had this one read in a few days. It is a quick and enjoyable read and I wanted to know what was going to happen. Was mom going to sell the campground or not???? I was rooting for Julia to be successful in what she wanted. The middle did drag a little for me, but the ending made up for it being bittersweet and it really gets moving in the last 50 pages.
Sevigny really captured everything I loved in this novel. She even did well with the realism with how mom felt with the financial situation. You could feel how torn mom is about selling. If you have a teen daughter, let her read this novel.
Summer Constellations is recommended. Thank you KCP Loft for my ARC copy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If Summer Constellations had been published when I was a teenager, it would have most likely been one of my favorite books! It is a perfect summer read for a teen girl, especially if she is going camping. I am not the target demographic for this novel, but I still enjoyed it!
There is the whole summer romance involved and Julia is just the ‘normal’ teenage girl. I would have identified with her as a teen. When she finds out her mom may be selling the only home she has ever known she is not happy at all. She works to try to do everything she can to prevent the sale from happening. And then there is Nick…. Oh wow: Should she trust him or not? Is he just taking advantage of her situation to get what he wants? And what does he really want?????
I am not a quick reader but had this one read in a few days. It is a quick and enjoyable read and I wanted to know what was going to happen. Was mom going to sell the campground or not???? I was rooting for Julia to be successful in what she wanted. The middle did drag a little for me, but the ending made up for it being bittersweet and it really gets moving in the last 50 pages.
Sevigny really captured everything I loved in this novel. She even did well with the realism with how mom felt with the financial situation. You could feel how torn mom is about selling. If you have a teen daughter, let her read this novel.
Summer Constellations is recommended. Thank you KCP Loft for my ARC copy!
July 4, 2018
Reseña en español
Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I expected this to be a bit cliché, but not that much. Repeating how hot the guy is five times just after meeting him, saying ‘you’re not like other girls,’ or criticising the new girlfriend without a reason are things I thought we were over by now. As I mentioned in the plot, Julia is deeply in love with Dan, one of the boys who spends the summer at her camp, but he shows up with his new girlfriend, Taylor, and breaks the main character’s heart. Well, Taylor’s characterisation couldn’t be simpler and fuller of stereotypes: she’s the typical gorgeous blonde girl, and not very bright. In fact, there’s a scene where she takes the telescope backwards. I think that, even if you haven’t seen a telescope in your whole life, it’s not that difficult to deduce. This kind of details made the character seem more like a caricature than a real person. To make it worse, Julia wouldn’t stop criticising her, calling her a ‘Barbie,’ and treating her with disdain, even if Taylor was always nice to her.
Leaving this aside, I wasn’t a fan of Julia and Nick’s relationship either. Just as Taylor wasn’t very realistic because of the abuse of negative stereotypes, Nick was the total opposite: too perfect to be believable. He’s handsome, romantic, has travelled all around the globe; he’s rich, he sings and plays in a famous band, knows about carpentry, is a natural with kids, gets along with everyone, knows about business, is good-hearted and, despite all this, he’s not arrogant. I don’t know about you, but I don’t know anyone like this and I don’t think they exist. And it’s not only that the character itself wasn’t realistic, but his relationship with Julia wasn’t either. They fall in love in two days and, since he’s so perfect, he never does anything wrong, so Julia gets angry at him for stupid things that, frankly, didn’t make any sense and could’ve been solved with some communication.
However, not everything was bad. Even though the focus of the story was the romance, nature was also important, and I have to say the descriptions of the setting were beautiful. You could tell the author loves nature and she manages to share those feelings very well. If there’s a camp like Julia’s, I’d sure like to go. Another element quite relevant was the family. Julia’s family is very close and I liked that they didn’t take a back seat in the story, especially Caleb, Julia’s little brother, who was undoubtedly my favourite character because of his adventurous spirit and good relationship with his sister. There’s a point in the story when he discovers there might be a ‘treasure’ in the camp that may help them save it, and though it’s a side plot and I didn’t like the outcome, I enjoyed seeing Caleb investigate and lead the treasure hunt.
In conclusion: good setting, but the characters in general and the plot left a lot to be desired.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I expected this to be a bit cliché, but not that much. Repeating how hot the guy is five times just after meeting him, saying ‘you’re not like other girls,’ or criticising the new girlfriend without a reason are things I thought we were over by now. As I mentioned in the plot, Julia is deeply in love with Dan, one of the boys who spends the summer at her camp, but he shows up with his new girlfriend, Taylor, and breaks the main character’s heart. Well, Taylor’s characterisation couldn’t be simpler and fuller of stereotypes: she’s the typical gorgeous blonde girl, and not very bright. In fact, there’s a scene where she takes the telescope backwards. I think that, even if you haven’t seen a telescope in your whole life, it’s not that difficult to deduce. This kind of details made the character seem more like a caricature than a real person. To make it worse, Julia wouldn’t stop criticising her, calling her a ‘Barbie,’ and treating her with disdain, even if Taylor was always nice to her.
Leaving this aside, I wasn’t a fan of Julia and Nick’s relationship either. Just as Taylor wasn’t very realistic because of the abuse of negative stereotypes, Nick was the total opposite: too perfect to be believable. He’s handsome, romantic, has travelled all around the globe; he’s rich, he sings and plays in a famous band, knows about carpentry, is a natural with kids, gets along with everyone, knows about business, is good-hearted and, despite all this, he’s not arrogant. I don’t know about you, but I don’t know anyone like this and I don’t think they exist. And it’s not only that the character itself wasn’t realistic, but his relationship with Julia wasn’t either. They fall in love in two days and, since he’s so perfect, he never does anything wrong, so Julia gets angry at him for stupid things that, frankly, didn’t make any sense and could’ve been solved with some communication.
However, not everything was bad. Even though the focus of the story was the romance, nature was also important, and I have to say the descriptions of the setting were beautiful. You could tell the author loves nature and she manages to share those feelings very well. If there’s a camp like Julia’s, I’d sure like to go. Another element quite relevant was the family. Julia’s family is very close and I liked that they didn’t take a back seat in the story, especially Caleb, Julia’s little brother, who was undoubtedly my favourite character because of his adventurous spirit and good relationship with his sister. There’s a point in the story when he discovers there might be a ‘treasure’ in the camp that may help them save it, and though it’s a side plot and I didn’t like the outcome, I enjoyed seeing Caleb investigate and lead the treasure hunt.
In conclusion: good setting, but the characters in general and the plot left a lot to be desired.
November 11, 2017
What a charming book! Summer romance, stargazing, the great outdoors, handsome pirates - what more could you want? The main character Julia is immediately likable and I enjoyed her interactions with her family as much as her love story. The author's descriptions of Nick make him sound irresistible; maybe some illustrations would have been nice? :) The book isn't just about the romance though, as there are also great storylines about her family and the campground that I became invested in. Definitely a page-turner!
May 18, 2018
Okay, I don't have much to say about this book only that it irritated me and I have no idea why. Maybe because I found the lead character unlikeable, maybe because the relationship was annoying in itself?All I know was I was just beyond irritated, but I did finish it and I don't know why I did that either. So not a book I recommend.
September 15, 2018
I really enjoyed this fun YA contemporary that made me want to hop on a plane and go visit the wilds of Canada. Fiery/prickly Julia and swoony Nick made for a great couple. I recommend it for lovers of YA romance!
March 25, 2018
With a lakeside family owned camp ground as a backdrop, this young adult summer tale is layered with nostalgic settings of snack shops and night time canoe rides under a canopy of stars.
Julia is a relatable character in sense of her motivation and choices. The reader can’t help but cheer for her to not only get the right guy, but to save her family’s home as well. Her relationship with her younger brother is especially endearing, being funny at times without sacrificing an authenticity in their scenes.
Between astronomy lessons and yoga philosophies, Sevigny effortlessly weaves a thoughtful story of learning to fight for the thing you love the most while interspersing a good old fashioned treasure hunt mystery.
A coming of age tale with an environmental angle, Summer Constellations, sparkles with humour and sizzles with a dreamy romance, hitting all the right notes, leaving the reader satisfied.
An excellent choice for those who enjoy a smart summer romance layered with varied and well developed characters who are as natural and refreshing as a summer breeze off the lake.
Julia is a relatable character in sense of her motivation and choices. The reader can’t help but cheer for her to not only get the right guy, but to save her family’s home as well. Her relationship with her younger brother is especially endearing, being funny at times without sacrificing an authenticity in their scenes.
Between astronomy lessons and yoga philosophies, Sevigny effortlessly weaves a thoughtful story of learning to fight for the thing you love the most while interspersing a good old fashioned treasure hunt mystery.
A coming of age tale with an environmental angle, Summer Constellations, sparkles with humour and sizzles with a dreamy romance, hitting all the right notes, leaving the reader satisfied.
An excellent choice for those who enjoy a smart summer romance layered with varied and well developed characters who are as natural and refreshing as a summer breeze off the lake.
December 17, 2017
I really enjoyed this ARC..It was a very sweet story, and I became emotionally involved with the Characters especially Julia (Tink) I really felt for her, and the whole family when they were going to be taken over by the Developers on the campground they owned....The Astronomy theme in the story was also interesting I recently read an article in relation to this about planets and constellation and the dates when certain events took place in the night sky. Apparently compared to 2016 this year 2017 will be an excellent year to see the Geminid meteor shower which can be see all night starting the 13 th Dec and be at its peak around 1am on Dec 14th..Mercury is also visible in the evening sky in the month and can be seen in the dawn sky, also Venus can be seen briefly in the dawn twilight sky, Mars can be seen in the morning sky, Jupiter can also be seen in the morning twilight. Saturn is to close to the sun to be seen ,Uranus can be seen in the evening sky setting after midnight. This book was a great read although aimed (14-18yrs age group) I think it would appeal to a wide range of age groups. I also loved the book cover art work it was a well produced copy good size print nicely bound this one I shall be keeping on my Book shelf !!! I give this book 5 stars
May 2, 2018
** actual 4.75 **
- received ARC from publisher in exchange for review -
This story followed Julia and her adventures on the family's campground home. But after finding out the overwhelming medicals may lead to selling the property, and that her new found crush is the interested developer's son, Julia's heart, and her trust in others, are at risk.
I absolutely adored this novel. The characters were enjoyable to read about, and the setting was picturesque, perfect for a summer read. As Julia struggles to balance protecting her brother, her home, and her heart, she also learns to accept change, and discovers sometimes trusting a new relationship can have extraordinary outcomes. The supporting characters in this novel were so enjoyable. From the old summer fling to the new flamboyant girlfriend, I was amused throughout the novel. Her family struggles were relatable, and explained the hardships of families after illness in a realistic way. Not to mention Nick, who was the perfect guy for Julia from the beginning.
I appreciated the cute cabin setting, and I thought the lake grounds were described in great detail. Overall, I would definitely recommend this to any of my contemporary-romance-fan friends. Alisha should be very proud of this novel.
- received ARC from publisher in exchange for review -
This story followed Julia and her adventures on the family's campground home. But after finding out the overwhelming medicals may lead to selling the property, and that her new found crush is the interested developer's son, Julia's heart, and her trust in others, are at risk.
I absolutely adored this novel. The characters were enjoyable to read about, and the setting was picturesque, perfect for a summer read. As Julia struggles to balance protecting her brother, her home, and her heart, she also learns to accept change, and discovers sometimes trusting a new relationship can have extraordinary outcomes. The supporting characters in this novel were so enjoyable. From the old summer fling to the new flamboyant girlfriend, I was amused throughout the novel. Her family struggles were relatable, and explained the hardships of families after illness in a realistic way. Not to mention Nick, who was the perfect guy for Julia from the beginning.
I appreciated the cute cabin setting, and I thought the lake grounds were described in great detail. Overall, I would definitely recommend this to any of my contemporary-romance-fan friends. Alisha should be very proud of this novel.
August 11, 2022
A beautiful summer romance for fans of midnight sun.
May 18, 2018
This is a really cute young adult contemporary romance. It's full of drama and loss with some mortifying moments that make up the romance movies I adore. I was heartbroken for Julia and her family but loved that Nick wanted to do anything he could to help. Great for a summer read by the pool or at the beach.
Julia is gearing up for the visitor season at the campground her family runs and owns. She thinks she will finally become a couple with Dan after so many summers of off and on. Dan shows up to the camp with another girl and Julia is gutted. Then a developer wants to take over the area and the camp and build lakefront properties essentially taking her home away. With all the money issues her family is having it looks like they don't have a choice.
Julia pours her heart out to a new guy she meets on the dock one night named Nick. He is kind and understanding and lets her. He doesn't tell her until after that he is that evil developer's son. Nick can't stand his father or what lengths he will go to and now he has a chance to not only rebel against him but to help Julia and her family at the same time.
Thank you to Edelweiss, Hatchette, and Kids Can Press for this ARC for a fair and honest review.
Julia is gearing up for the visitor season at the campground her family runs and owns. She thinks she will finally become a couple with Dan after so many summers of off and on. Dan shows up to the camp with another girl and Julia is gutted. Then a developer wants to take over the area and the camp and build lakefront properties essentially taking her home away. With all the money issues her family is having it looks like they don't have a choice.
Julia pours her heart out to a new guy she meets on the dock one night named Nick. He is kind and understanding and lets her. He doesn't tell her until after that he is that evil developer's son. Nick can't stand his father or what lengths he will go to and now he has a chance to not only rebel against him but to help Julia and her family at the same time.
Thank you to Edelweiss, Hatchette, and Kids Can Press for this ARC for a fair and honest review.
April 4, 2018
I was fortunate enough to read an ARC of this book and I really enjoyed it. I’ve also read the author’s first book and I love how both stories included environmental themes as well as a really fun romance. In Summer Constellations, Jules finds out that her family’s campground will be sold to cover her brother’s medical costs. She also discovers that her boyfriend from last summer has returned with a new girlfriend. Jules pours her aching heart out to a guy she meets on the dock, who turns out to be the son of the real estate tycoon helping her mother sell the property. Nick is a pretty incredible guy and I loved the chemistry between him and Jules. Of course, she can’t trust him because he and his father stand to make a lot of money from the real estate deal. He needs to prove that he really wants to help her find a way to preserve the land. This was a great teen romance and a perfect summer read!
June 26, 2018
This book wasn't terrible, but the plot was very stale and over-done. It's a cute little summer romance story that I think many teens will enjoy without much issue, but I've read so much YA that this one fell a little flat for me. The main problem is that I've seen this plot done a million times before in other media (books, movies, etc.), so it was going to take something really ground-breaking to make this book stand out for me. Sadly, while I enjoyed the ride, this just didn't have anything spectacular enough to elevate it above a "Meh, it was okay" level. As this book was short, my review won't be as long as usual, but I'd like to share a few thoughts before I move on.
Summer Constellations tells the story of a young teen named Julia, whose family has lived on and owned a local campground for as long as she can remember. Having just graduated high school, Julia is really looking forward to this summer, when she'll have the chance to spend a lot of time with her on-and-off fling Dan. Before she can really begin to enjoy her summer, however, Julia is met with devastating news: her mom is planning to sell the campground to a company that aims to build a casino on the family land. Julia's brother Caleb has just gotten over a serious illness, leaving the family in financial trouble, and selling may just be their only option to make it out on top. As if this weren't bad enough, Julia finds out that Dan has brought his new girlfriend to the campground for the summer, crushing her hopes of becoming official. It's then that she meets the handsome and mysterious Nick, who she soon learns is the son of the developer looking to buy her family's land. Despite her best efforts, Julia is falling for the enemy, an enemy ready to hatch a plan to help save her home - and win her heart.
The most obvious criticism I have about this book - and you might have seen this coming, given the synopsis - is that the story has been done almost to death at this point. A piece of land crucially important to the main character is in danger of being lost, and it's up to her and a band of quirky friends and relatives to pull together a benefit of some sort to save it. Add to this the Romeo and Juliet-esque romance, and you have the bare bones of a plot that has been told so often that it's very difficult to make anything new out of it. This isn't to say that it can't be done, with the right tools and creative writing. This, however, is not that book. Right off the bat, Julia's romance with Nick seems to happen far too quickly, and feels too contrived and manipulative to be emotionally gripping. Julia constantly waffles between mistrusting Nick and droning on about how dreamy and perfect he is, while seeming to get over Dan completely shortly after bumping into Nick. Similarly, he seems to get over her relatively quickly, declaring his love and then going back to his current girlfriend within the span of a few chapters. I understand that this is meant to show how fleeting first love can be, but romantic emotions don't carry a lot of weight throughout the story; the characters almost seem like they're going through the motions of love as the plot demands, which isn't very romantic.
This book also felt extremely fast-paced, and while that meant it was a quick and easy read, it also felt far too rushed at times. We don't really get to see a lot of development between Nick and Julia; they meet and seem to instantly fall in love, with less depth than even the sappiest of Disney movies. Similarly, all of their problems are solved in extremely cliche ways,from Nick being conveniently in a semi-famous band (along with being rich, because of course he is) to the property containing a highly valuable natural hot spring that saves it in the end. While I appreciated that the "treasure" the characters were looking for was a natural feature instead of physical gold or diamonds, the entire plot felt far too rushed and convenient for my liking.
This isn't to say, however, that I didn't enjoy any of this book. For what it's worth, I found myself actively invested in the plot until the end. I realized I was reading the equivalent of a bad Hallmark movie for teens, but didn't mind so much considering how easy this book was to read. I could easily see it appealing to reluctant readers who enjoy light-hearted romance; after all, not everything has to be serious and deep. I fully endorse this book as a piece of mindless entertainment, but I don't see it winning any awards any time soon. Though the romance felt forced, I did enjoy some of the other relationships between the characters. Nick's relationship to his dad was interesting (and something I wish the book had explored further), as was Julia's sweet relationship with her brother Caleb. While much of this work of realistic fiction failed to feel realistic, the family ties in the story felt like they were coming from a genuine place.
In addition to enjoying the non-romantic relationships in this book, I also appreciated that it took a stab at handling issues like financial instability, absentee parents, and chronic illness. While it never exactly feels as serious as it likely would in real life, the inclusion here might be something that some teens could relate to. Ultimately, however, this book seems to be much more for entertainment than any real social commentary, which is honestly fine with me. Like I said before, not every book has to be Shakespearian in quality; I've just read so many mind-blowing YA series that it's hard for me to look at a mediocre book through the lens of an average teenage reader (one who would likely really enjoy this).
I was also relieved to see that this book avoided the "liar revealed" plot so frequently mentioned by online critics. While Nick is revealed to be the son of the "enemy" fairly early on, he never turns on Julia or sabotages her plans. I kept expecting him to be playing up his feelings in order to gain Julia's trust, but the plot thankfully avoided moving in that direction. The only thing that might have made this plot more cliche was an awkward break-up scene where Julia learns she's been played the whole time, while Nick realizes the errors of his ways and vows to make it up to her. To my ultimate relief, the two characters maintain a rather steady relationship throughout the book, only faltering when Julia begins to have doubts about the stability of a summer romance. This was refreshing, and something I'm glad went a different direction from the cookie-cutter plot.
Though there wasn't anything especially graphic in this book, it does tend to get slightly sexually suggestive at times. Because of this, I would recommend it to either an advanced middle school reader or a high school reader, simply to be on the safe side. I could see it being a big hit with reluctant or struggling readers, as the language is simple and very easy to follow. And, while the story is very cookie-cutter and predictable (you know the two main characters will end up together and save the camp), it's still a fun and enjoyable read. As I often describe books like this, Summer Constellations is very much an example of literary junk food; it's not necessarily thought-provoking or good for you, but it's a lot of fun to consume.
Despite this book's overall lackluster plot, it is by no means the worst book I've ever read. It's cute, fun, and light-hearted, and will take readers almost no time to finish. The characters are sometimes stereotypical, the romances are rushed and unrealistic, and the conflicts are resolved a little too conveniently, but in the end it's a pretty harmless read. I didn't notice anything particularly problematic (except for maybe the lack of diversity among the cast), but I think the average teen reader will enjoy this just fine. If you're looking for something to really wow you, I would give this book a pass; otherwise, feel free to spend a few hours losing yourself in a cutesy, mindless summer YA romance.
Summer Constellations tells the story of a young teen named Julia, whose family has lived on and owned a local campground for as long as she can remember. Having just graduated high school, Julia is really looking forward to this summer, when she'll have the chance to spend a lot of time with her on-and-off fling Dan. Before she can really begin to enjoy her summer, however, Julia is met with devastating news: her mom is planning to sell the campground to a company that aims to build a casino on the family land. Julia's brother Caleb has just gotten over a serious illness, leaving the family in financial trouble, and selling may just be their only option to make it out on top. As if this weren't bad enough, Julia finds out that Dan has brought his new girlfriend to the campground for the summer, crushing her hopes of becoming official. It's then that she meets the handsome and mysterious Nick, who she soon learns is the son of the developer looking to buy her family's land. Despite her best efforts, Julia is falling for the enemy, an enemy ready to hatch a plan to help save her home - and win her heart.
The most obvious criticism I have about this book - and you might have seen this coming, given the synopsis - is that the story has been done almost to death at this point. A piece of land crucially important to the main character is in danger of being lost, and it's up to her and a band of quirky friends and relatives to pull together a benefit of some sort to save it. Add to this the Romeo and Juliet-esque romance, and you have the bare bones of a plot that has been told so often that it's very difficult to make anything new out of it. This isn't to say that it can't be done, with the right tools and creative writing. This, however, is not that book. Right off the bat, Julia's romance with Nick seems to happen far too quickly, and feels too contrived and manipulative to be emotionally gripping. Julia constantly waffles between mistrusting Nick and droning on about how dreamy and perfect he is, while seeming to get over Dan completely shortly after bumping into Nick. Similarly, he seems to get over her relatively quickly, declaring his love and then going back to his current girlfriend within the span of a few chapters. I understand that this is meant to show how fleeting first love can be, but romantic emotions don't carry a lot of weight throughout the story; the characters almost seem like they're going through the motions of love as the plot demands, which isn't very romantic.
This book also felt extremely fast-paced, and while that meant it was a quick and easy read, it also felt far too rushed at times. We don't really get to see a lot of development between Nick and Julia; they meet and seem to instantly fall in love, with less depth than even the sappiest of Disney movies. Similarly, all of their problems are solved in extremely cliche ways,from Nick being conveniently in a semi-famous band (along with being rich, because of course he is) to the property containing a highly valuable natural hot spring that saves it in the end. While I appreciated that the "treasure" the characters were looking for was a natural feature instead of physical gold or diamonds, the entire plot felt far too rushed and convenient for my liking.
This isn't to say, however, that I didn't enjoy any of this book. For what it's worth, I found myself actively invested in the plot until the end. I realized I was reading the equivalent of a bad Hallmark movie for teens, but didn't mind so much considering how easy this book was to read. I could easily see it appealing to reluctant readers who enjoy light-hearted romance; after all, not everything has to be serious and deep. I fully endorse this book as a piece of mindless entertainment, but I don't see it winning any awards any time soon. Though the romance felt forced, I did enjoy some of the other relationships between the characters. Nick's relationship to his dad was interesting (and something I wish the book had explored further), as was Julia's sweet relationship with her brother Caleb. While much of this work of realistic fiction failed to feel realistic, the family ties in the story felt like they were coming from a genuine place.
In addition to enjoying the non-romantic relationships in this book, I also appreciated that it took a stab at handling issues like financial instability, absentee parents, and chronic illness. While it never exactly feels as serious as it likely would in real life, the inclusion here might be something that some teens could relate to. Ultimately, however, this book seems to be much more for entertainment than any real social commentary, which is honestly fine with me. Like I said before, not every book has to be Shakespearian in quality; I've just read so many mind-blowing YA series that it's hard for me to look at a mediocre book through the lens of an average teenage reader (one who would likely really enjoy this).
I was also relieved to see that this book avoided the "liar revealed" plot so frequently mentioned by online critics. While Nick is revealed to be the son of the "enemy" fairly early on, he never turns on Julia or sabotages her plans. I kept expecting him to be playing up his feelings in order to gain Julia's trust, but the plot thankfully avoided moving in that direction. The only thing that might have made this plot more cliche was an awkward break-up scene where Julia learns she's been played the whole time, while Nick realizes the errors of his ways and vows to make it up to her. To my ultimate relief, the two characters maintain a rather steady relationship throughout the book, only faltering when Julia begins to have doubts about the stability of a summer romance. This was refreshing, and something I'm glad went a different direction from the cookie-cutter plot.
Though there wasn't anything especially graphic in this book, it does tend to get slightly sexually suggestive at times. Because of this, I would recommend it to either an advanced middle school reader or a high school reader, simply to be on the safe side. I could see it being a big hit with reluctant or struggling readers, as the language is simple and very easy to follow. And, while the story is very cookie-cutter and predictable (you know the two main characters will end up together and save the camp), it's still a fun and enjoyable read. As I often describe books like this, Summer Constellations is very much an example of literary junk food; it's not necessarily thought-provoking or good for you, but it's a lot of fun to consume.
Despite this book's overall lackluster plot, it is by no means the worst book I've ever read. It's cute, fun, and light-hearted, and will take readers almost no time to finish. The characters are sometimes stereotypical, the romances are rushed and unrealistic, and the conflicts are resolved a little too conveniently, but in the end it's a pretty harmless read. I didn't notice anything particularly problematic (except for maybe the lack of diversity among the cast), but I think the average teen reader will enjoy this just fine. If you're looking for something to really wow you, I would give this book a pass; otherwise, feel free to spend a few hours losing yourself in a cutesy, mindless summer YA romance.
November 22, 2017
I loved this book and enjoyed everything about it: the blooming romance between Julia and Nick, the campground atmosphere, the supporting characters, etc. Fans of teen romance books, this is a must!
March 25, 2018
A passionate, summer romance, a last-ditch attempt to save her family’s home, a touch of mystery and adventure. While Summer Constellations has all the right elements for an epic summer read, it was merely a solid book, one that I enjoyed reading but didn’t love as much as I expected to.
Julia’s summer isn’t mapping out the way she planned. First her best friend leaves for the holidays, then her mother announces she might have to sell their family home, a gorgeous lakeside campgrounds, to pay off their medical debts. And to top it off, Julia’s crush and maybe boyfriend just turned up with his new girlfriend in tow. So, not great. Then she meets the charming and gorgeous Nick. But that too only hides more hurt, when Julia discovers he is the son of the man planning to take her beloved home from her. But she and Nick have some serious chemistry, and, together with her little brother, they make plans to prevent the sale of Julia’s home.
A summer romance, a touch of mystery, star gazing, a gorgeous setting - there was plenty to like about Summer Constellations. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t click with the writing style. All the initial major events unfold very quickly, all in just one evening, and then the romance progresses even faster. Everything felt so rushed and it all developed before I had a chance to get to know Julia or become invested in her story. There were also a few things with the writing that struck me as odd and which detracted from my enjoyment of the story. For example, if it’s dark enough to stargaze and trip over stuff I doubt you would be able to tell someone’s exact eye colour. I do acknowledge that I read an advanced copy and these things might have been changed in the final text, however, it distracted me from the story.
Summer Constellations would be ideal for anyone looking for a light, summer romance that is quick to read.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library.
Julia’s summer isn’t mapping out the way she planned. First her best friend leaves for the holidays, then her mother announces she might have to sell their family home, a gorgeous lakeside campgrounds, to pay off their medical debts. And to top it off, Julia’s crush and maybe boyfriend just turned up with his new girlfriend in tow. So, not great. Then she meets the charming and gorgeous Nick. But that too only hides more hurt, when Julia discovers he is the son of the man planning to take her beloved home from her. But she and Nick have some serious chemistry, and, together with her little brother, they make plans to prevent the sale of Julia’s home.
A summer romance, a touch of mystery, star gazing, a gorgeous setting - there was plenty to like about Summer Constellations. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t click with the writing style. All the initial major events unfold very quickly, all in just one evening, and then the romance progresses even faster. Everything felt so rushed and it all developed before I had a chance to get to know Julia or become invested in her story. There were also a few things with the writing that struck me as odd and which detracted from my enjoyment of the story. For example, if it’s dark enough to stargaze and trip over stuff I doubt you would be able to tell someone’s exact eye colour. I do acknowledge that I read an advanced copy and these things might have been changed in the final text, however, it distracted me from the story.
Summer Constellations would be ideal for anyone looking for a light, summer romance that is quick to read.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library.
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