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Blue #1
Blue: Book 1
Surfing is sixteen-year-old Iris's world, and when the ultra-talented Zeke walks into her life, it soon becomes her passion.
Over one amazing summer, as she is drawn into his sphere, she experiences love, new friendships, but also loss, with an intensity she never dreamed of.
But is Zeke all he seems? What hides beneath his glamorous and mysterious past? When Iris decides to try for her own surfing success, just as her ex-boyfriend comes back into her life, she will test her talent, and her feelings for Zeke, to the limit...
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2014
16 people are currently reading
1128 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Glass
8 books36 followersLisa Glass has always lived a stone’s throw from the sea, moving from Plymouth to Swansea – where she took an MA in Creative Writing – and finally on to Newquay in Cornwall, where she now lives with her husband, daughters and dog.
Apart from writing beach novels and surfing, Lisa is part of the team behind top UK book blog Vulpes Libris, which has reviewed over a thousand books and was singled out by Robert McCrum in the Observer as one of the best literary blogs.
Her debut, BLUE was published by Quercus in June 2014. The sequel AIR was published in 2015 and concluded with RIDE, published in June 2016.
Apart from writing beach novels and surfing, Lisa is part of the team behind top UK book blog Vulpes Libris, which has reviewed over a thousand books and was singled out by Robert McCrum in the Observer as one of the best literary blogs.
Her debut, BLUE was published by Quercus in June 2014. The sequel AIR was published in 2015 and concluded with RIDE, published in June 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
August 5, 2016
1.5 STARS
This is my third surf-themed contemporary romance read so far and I really have no explanation why I keep picking them up. Maybe its my non-tanning, sedentary Asian ass' way of living vicariously through the pages. Or maybe it's my inexplicable attraction towards the blonde, bodacious (somebody needs to kill that word. Yesterday.) half-naked men (or just droopy pretty male nipples, really) in their covers. I also have an unhealthy love for Garlic-flavored SPAM for which I also have no excuses for, but I'm pretty sure one has something to do with the other. In my previous attempts at this very specific, very alien genre, I can't say my unnameable expectations had ever been met and this book unfortunately continues with that tradition.
Blue centers on the yoga-initiated just add seawater attraction between Iris Fox, a local surfing ingenue in Newquay, and Zeke Francis, the world-renowned champion of something important in the world of surfing. She doesn't know this because New Adult Contemporary Romance Clause of Cliches No. 05 states that the heroine can't know the true, celebrity status of the immeasurably attractive hero for the first 25% of the story, logic be damned. This is ofcourse followed by a "WTF he's a superstar and he's totally into me and wants to make me a superstar too!" reveal. So Iris is given the opportunity to train and compete to be the new surfergirl model of Zeke's brand sponsor because, why not?
Oh and because the New Adult Contemporary Romance Clause of Cliches No. 03 says so, there should be a troubled douchedude ex-boyfriend from Iris' past with a tragic backstory and a posh ex-girlfriend from Zeke's side competing for the same prize as Iris.
I may not be entirely clear why I am drawn to surf-themed stories but it’s definitely not because of its stereotypes. I learned I can tolerate the IDEA of tree-hugging, world-saving, adrenaline junkies but not the sacrilegious concept of VEGGIE BACON and a love triangle between a guy sporting a YOLO tattoo and another branded with a tramp stamp.
I respect the vegan principle, but this just somehow felt gratuitous. And I'm sorry but those just begs some level of ridicule, the kind that has no place in a book downward-dogging itself to a pretzel trying to make me swoon while also paddling so desperately in convincing me it's a legit surfer romance.
There was too much technical infodumping on techniques and maneuvers for someone lying on the couch eating a non-organic tub of ice cream to keep track of while remembering to be entertained. It came across like a desperate attempt to convey legit street/beach-cred especially when paired with the annoying surf celebrity and brand namedrops. It was a true test of patience wading through the Kelly Slater-worship and the Quiksilvers, Ripcurls and Billabongs when all I really wanted was to understand these ridiculous people at any level, why they are doing these things why I have to bear witness to it.
The narrative had several afterschool special worthy storylines going for it, bouncing focus from premarital sex to homophobia to drug-dependence in competitive surfing to growing old in the lifestyle to Christina Aguilera-triggered violence. Why do I need to know these things? The fact that this book assumes that it's of monumental importance to the pretend plot for me to know the reason behind Iris' ringtone for Daniel and Zeke just makes me want to punish something.
It was bad enough that these characters were obvious caricatures of the surfer culture stereotypes but the distinct lack of any redeeming quality to these people just made the story unpalatable as a whole. Iris' point of view was nails on a chalkboard, her jargon so 'mega' judgy toward ‘tanorexics’, peppered with aggro' annoying cliches that I'm a bit bewildered I managed to tolerate it long enough to finish this. She's a borderline slut-shamer (New Adult Contemporary Romance Clause of Cliches No.2 right there) dishing an extra side serve of blatant envy and unfounded hate towards women remotely as talented or as attractive as her. The only consolation being its mostly in her head.
Unfortunately, you are trapped with her in there for the next 249-pages.
Because one’s choice of workout gear is CLEARLY the best way to judge a person’s character and Iris’ self-deprecating attitude will surely endear her enough to me that I would care whether she chooses the steroid-juiced guy who uses “porno” as an adjective or the former Meth-head who has been philosophically enlightened because he’s now a vegetarian and his shirt says ”It’s not the destination, It’s the glory of the ride.”
There was zero chemistry between Zeke and Iris, with Zeke coming across like a bored celebrity who didn’t have nearly as much interest towards Iris as she had towards him. I suppose finding either of them terribly unappealing to begin with had something to do with the fit of giggles that pathetic excuse of a “shocking” plot twist in the end sent me into, but the catatonic ‘brah’-infested dialogue definitely didn’t this book’s cause. Certain exchanges sounded like a soliloquy rather than a conversation between two people and sometimes there are lines that just begs to be mocked.
This is my third surf-themed contemporary romance and neither of the previous two shredded my expectations so efficiently as Blue. So much so that I am looking forward to my next foray into this sub-genre. I’m quite confident nothing could disappoint me anymore as much as this did.
Review Copy courtesy of the publishers thru Edelweiss. Quotes taken from the uncorrected proof based on the UK edition.
Also on Booklikes.
This is my third surf-themed contemporary romance read so far and I really have no explanation why I keep picking them up. Maybe its my non-tanning, sedentary Asian ass' way of living vicariously through the pages. Or maybe it's my inexplicable attraction towards the blonde, bodacious (somebody needs to kill that word. Yesterday.) half-naked men (or just droopy pretty male nipples, really) in their covers. I also have an unhealthy love for Garlic-flavored SPAM for which I also have no excuses for, but I'm pretty sure one has something to do with the other. In my previous attempts at this very specific, very alien genre, I can't say my unnameable expectations had ever been met and this book unfortunately continues with that tradition.
Blue centers on the yoga-initiated just add seawater attraction between Iris Fox, a local surfing ingenue in Newquay, and Zeke Francis, the world-renowned champion of something important in the world of surfing. She doesn't know this because New Adult Contemporary Romance Clause of Cliches No. 05 states that the heroine can't know the true, celebrity status of the immeasurably attractive hero for the first 25% of the story, logic be damned. This is ofcourse followed by a "WTF he's a superstar and he's totally into me and wants to make me a superstar too!" reveal. So Iris is given the opportunity to train and compete to be the new surfergirl model of Zeke's brand sponsor because, why not?
Oh and because the New Adult Contemporary Romance Clause of Cliches No. 03 says so, there should be a troubled douchedude ex-boyfriend from Iris' past with a tragic backstory and a posh ex-girlfriend from Zeke's side competing for the same prize as Iris.
I may not be entirely clear why I am drawn to surf-themed stories but it’s definitely not because of its stereotypes. I learned I can tolerate the IDEA of tree-hugging, world-saving, adrenaline junkies but not the sacrilegious concept of VEGGIE BACON and a love triangle between a guy sporting a YOLO tattoo and another branded with a tramp stamp.
I respect the vegan principle, but this just somehow felt gratuitous. And I'm sorry but those just begs some level of ridicule, the kind that has no place in a book downward-dogging itself to a pretzel trying to make me swoon while also paddling so desperately in convincing me it's a legit surfer romance.
With Fistral full-on pumping through, and no calm channels, we had to turtle-roll through the impact zone at top speed, as the longboards were too sturdy and buoyant to duck-dive. It wasn't too tricky, as long as we hit the waves really fast and at exactly ninety degrees.
There was too much technical infodumping on techniques and maneuvers for someone lying on the couch eating a non-organic tub of ice cream to keep track of while remembering to be entertained. It came across like a desperate attempt to convey legit street/beach-cred especially when paired with the annoying surf celebrity and brand namedrops. It was a true test of patience wading through the Kelly Slater-worship and the Quiksilvers, Ripcurls and Billabongs when all I really wanted was to understand these ridiculous people at any level, why they are doing these things why I have to bear witness to it.
The narrative had several afterschool special worthy storylines going for it, bouncing focus from premarital sex to homophobia to drug-dependence in competitive surfing to growing old in the lifestyle to Christina Aguilera-triggered violence. Why do I need to know these things? The fact that this book assumes that it's of monumental importance to the pretend plot for me to know the reason behind Iris' ringtone for Daniel and Zeke just makes me want to punish something.
It was bad enough that these characters were obvious caricatures of the surfer culture stereotypes but the distinct lack of any redeeming quality to these people just made the story unpalatable as a whole. Iris' point of view was nails on a chalkboard, her jargon so 'mega' judgy toward ‘tanorexics’, peppered with aggro' annoying cliches that I'm a bit bewildered I managed to tolerate it long enough to finish this. She's a borderline slut-shamer (New Adult Contemporary Romance Clause of Cliches No.2 right there) dishing an extra side serve of blatant envy and unfounded hate towards women remotely as talented or as attractive as her. The only consolation being its mostly in her head.
Unfortunately, you are trapped with her in there for the next 249-pages.
She was wearing an Adidas peach training top that topped just above her navel, and white leggings. I mean, who in their right mind wore white leggings? You could see everything, or rather the fact that she wasn’t wearing anything underneath them. In contrast, I was wearing a black vest that I’d bought for four quid in the Ann’s Cottage summer sale and camouflage reebok shorts. If she was Sports Illustrated, I was the Army Times.
Because one’s choice of workout gear is CLEARLY the best way to judge a person’s character and Iris’ self-deprecating attitude will surely endear her enough to me that I would care whether she chooses the steroid-juiced guy who uses “porno” as an adjective or the former Meth-head who has been philosophically enlightened because he’s now a vegetarian and his shirt says ”It’s not the destination, It’s the glory of the ride.”
There was zero chemistry between Zeke and Iris, with Zeke coming across like a bored celebrity who didn’t have nearly as much interest towards Iris as she had towards him. I suppose finding either of them terribly unappealing to begin with had something to do with the fit of giggles that pathetic excuse of a “shocking” plot twist in the end sent me into, but the catatonic ‘brah’-infested dialogue definitely didn’t this book’s cause. Certain exchanges sounded like a soliloquy rather than a conversation between two people and sometimes there are lines that just begs to be mocked.
”So why can’t we just see how it goes? Have a cool summer together?"
“Because I’m falling in love with you.”
This is my third surf-themed contemporary romance and neither of the previous two shredded my expectations so efficiently as Blue. So much so that I am looking forward to my next foray into this sub-genre. I’m quite confident nothing could disappoint me anymore as much as this did.
Review Copy courtesy of the publishers thru Edelweiss. Quotes taken from the uncorrected proof based on the UK edition.
Also on Booklikes.
July 7, 2015
I thought this could be good. Sadly, I didn't think so after the middle part.
I liked how important surf was and how passionate the characters were about it. It's mainly the reason why I was interested in this book, but it didn't turn out to be enough.
The first thing that started bugging me was the slut-shaming thing going on. Iris and her best friend Kelly often go to bars, which is fine, but because of the way they and other girls dress, they talk about what is "slutty" and what isn't. Kelly says: "Dressing like a slut doesn't make me a slut," which really offended me. Since this book is for young teenagers, I don't think I could say enough times how negative this can be on the readers. Also, I hated how Iris said he wouldn't "do it" with her ex because she was "only fifteen" yet she throws herself at Zeke and literally names which bases they got to. I'm fine with sex in books, but just saying "we got to second and third base" is just an horrible way to formulate it, in my opinion.
The last thing I didn't like was the kind of insta-love. It wasn't exactly like that, but I felt like everyone told the person they liked "I love you" or "I'm falling in love with you" way too quickly, like none of them truly knew what it is to be in love. Also, they were willing to sacrifice everything for a new relationship, without thinking of their own with their family or friends, which I thought was ridiculous.
I think this novel could be liked by younger girls, but I wouldn't recommend it, because I think it wouldn't give them a good idea of how to act.
(Thank you Edelweiss for providing me with a digital copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.)
I liked how important surf was and how passionate the characters were about it. It's mainly the reason why I was interested in this book, but it didn't turn out to be enough.
The first thing that started bugging me was the slut-shaming thing going on. Iris and her best friend Kelly often go to bars, which is fine, but because of the way they and other girls dress, they talk about what is "slutty" and what isn't. Kelly says: "Dressing like a slut doesn't make me a slut," which really offended me. Since this book is for young teenagers, I don't think I could say enough times how negative this can be on the readers. Also, I hated how Iris said he wouldn't "do it" with her ex because she was "only fifteen" yet she throws herself at Zeke and literally names which bases they got to. I'm fine with sex in books, but just saying "we got to second and third base" is just an horrible way to formulate it, in my opinion.
The last thing I didn't like was the kind of insta-love. It wasn't exactly like that, but I felt like everyone told the person they liked "I love you" or "I'm falling in love with you" way too quickly, like none of them truly knew what it is to be in love. Also, they were willing to sacrifice everything for a new relationship, without thinking of their own with their family or friends, which I thought was ridiculous.
I think this novel could be liked by younger girls, but I wouldn't recommend it, because I think it wouldn't give them a good idea of how to act.
(Thank you Edelweiss for providing me with a digital copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.)
February 7, 2017
ACTUAL RATING: 4,5 stars
review here
review here
March 1, 2017
Put simply I adored this book. It crept up on me as it wasn't particularly on my radar and wasn't a book I needed to read as soon as I got my hands on it but once I got started I couldn't put it down as the story completely and utterly hooked me in.
I'm not a surfer but there seems to be something about surfing books which I can't get enough of. I love reading about the lifestyle and always fall completely for the characters. This book was no exception. I adored both Iris and Zeke from the first page and found myself completely and utterly absorbed in their story. I won't spoil the storyline for anyone but thought it was brilliant and kept me guessing throughout.
I love that this book was a UKYA novel set in Newquay which made it feel that bit more real and relatable than books set on foreign shores because I could see the setting in my head as the characters went about their business.
All in all a fabulous offering from a new UKYA author and perfect reading for the summer holidays. I can't wait for the sequel.
I'm not a surfer but there seems to be something about surfing books which I can't get enough of. I love reading about the lifestyle and always fall completely for the characters. This book was no exception. I adored both Iris and Zeke from the first page and found myself completely and utterly absorbed in their story. I won't spoil the storyline for anyone but thought it was brilliant and kept me guessing throughout.
I love that this book was a UKYA novel set in Newquay which made it feel that bit more real and relatable than books set on foreign shores because I could see the setting in my head as the characters went about their business.
All in all a fabulous offering from a new UKYA author and perfect reading for the summer holidays. I can't wait for the sequel.
August 2, 2014
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Quercus and Edelweiss.)
This was an okay story, but it just didn’t really grab me.
Iris and Zeke were okay characters, but I didn’t really love them. I did laugh at the double entendres that Iris kept accidentally saying, but I just didn’t connect well with either of them.
The storyline in this was again okay, but it just didn’t grab me. I kept reading but I just couldn’t get into the story. I don’t think there was anything particularly wrong with the story, I just couldn’t get into it, and the romance didn’t interest me. The surfing thing couldn’t even grab me, and I was basically just glad to get to the end.
Overall; okay surfing story, but not for me,
6 out of 10.
This was an okay story, but it just didn’t really grab me.
Iris and Zeke were okay characters, but I didn’t really love them. I did laugh at the double entendres that Iris kept accidentally saying, but I just didn’t connect well with either of them.
The storyline in this was again okay, but it just didn’t grab me. I kept reading but I just couldn’t get into the story. I don’t think there was anything particularly wrong with the story, I just couldn’t get into it, and the romance didn’t interest me. The surfing thing couldn’t even grab me, and I was basically just glad to get to the end.
Overall; okay surfing story, but not for me,
6 out of 10.
August 9, 2017
Momentami się dłużyła, ale koniec końców była przyjemna
July 10, 2023
My only question is, WHY DID I NOT BUT THE NEXT BOOKS IN THE SERIES?!?! THIS IS FUCKING AMAZING
August 29, 2024
tego właśnie potrzebowałam w moim życiu
August 22, 2023
Dopiero pod koniec bohaterowie nabrali jako takiej głębi 🌊🦈
August 30, 2023
Co to było XDD
Bohaterowie to chyba simy a historia jest rodem z wattpada
Wszystko działo się tak randomowo, a zachowania bohaterów były tak nierealne
Bohaterowie to chyba simy a historia jest rodem z wattpada
Wszystko działo się tak randomowo, a zachowania bohaterów były tak nierealne
August 15, 2024
2,5 ksiazka z odmętów mojego regału
wakacje, surfing, hot chlopak i w sumie zero jakiegos pomyslu na plot, mega dziwne wątki niektore potraktowane bardzo po łebkach
i ogolnie 2014 cringe ale bawilam sie całkiem nieźle
wakacje, surfing, hot chlopak i w sumie zero jakiegos pomyslu na plot, mega dziwne wątki niektore potraktowane bardzo po łebkach
i ogolnie 2014 cringe ale bawilam sie całkiem nieźle
May 22, 2014
What even is it about surfing books? I read one and I absolutely crave more. Such was the case with Blue by Lisa Glass. What thrilled me about this book in particular, aside from the awesome surfing is that it is set around an actual English seaside town and not Hawaii or the US or Australia, but somewhere closer to home. Let's have more of that, okay?
And I really quickly fell for this story and these characters. At parts I found it a little surprising that we hear so much about secondary characters and their side stories, especially when it came to Zeke's family and the things they get up to but it all made sense in the end. I had no idea until I turned that last page that is the first book in a series! I'm really quite excited to read more about Iris and her surfing experiences.
So, Blue tells us this story spanning one momentous summer with our main character, Iris. She's really down in the dumps at the beginning of Blue, having just broken up with her ex-boyfriend, Daniel, and she's finding it hard to move on. Her best friend, Kelly, drags her off to a yoga class and there Iris meets Zeke, this hot surfer dude and they really hit it off.
These first few chapters of Blue were so wonderful to read, especially as it's really awkward and there are some embarrassing moments as Iris and Zeke first interact. It was obvious how much Iris fancies the pants off Zeke. And to be honest, so did I right from the start. He's gorgeous and talented and it seemed pretty clear to me (not so much to Iris) how smitten with her he is too.
But there are so many things standing in the way of their relationship. First off, Iris is totally unsure what Zeke feels or what he wants from her. Then she finds out that actually he's this big-time surfer who travels the world surfing the hottest spots and being sponsored. And there's also Iris's conflicted feelings about her ex-boyfriend and the fact that she might not yet be over him...
I found this book to be pretty surprising. I loved meeting Zeke's family. His brothers, his parents, his nana, they were all lovely and I just wanted to be part of that family unit. There was an incredibly touching scene involving the three Francis brothers and Nanna that had me nearly about to cry. And at the same time, I really felt for Daniel. He really cares about Iris in his own way but makes so many mistakes trying to win her back. It was a very emotional ride.
But, of course, the thing I really did love the most about this book was the surfing. Blue takes us through all sorts of different aspects of surfing. From learning to surf, surfing as a fun hobby, the competitive nature of trying to get into more pro circles and also that of someone at the top of their game in surfing. I found it all fascinating. I loved hearing about the different lingo and different things to consider and be aware of, the different boards and places to surf. Honestly, I lapped up every single detail of surfing in this book. It was all so very satisfying.
Blue was such a fun and romantic, summery beach read. I really recommend that you pick this one up and fall in love with surfing all over again!
And I really quickly fell for this story and these characters. At parts I found it a little surprising that we hear so much about secondary characters and their side stories, especially when it came to Zeke's family and the things they get up to but it all made sense in the end. I had no idea until I turned that last page that is the first book in a series! I'm really quite excited to read more about Iris and her surfing experiences.
So, Blue tells us this story spanning one momentous summer with our main character, Iris. She's really down in the dumps at the beginning of Blue, having just broken up with her ex-boyfriend, Daniel, and she's finding it hard to move on. Her best friend, Kelly, drags her off to a yoga class and there Iris meets Zeke, this hot surfer dude and they really hit it off.
These first few chapters of Blue were so wonderful to read, especially as it's really awkward and there are some embarrassing moments as Iris and Zeke first interact. It was obvious how much Iris fancies the pants off Zeke. And to be honest, so did I right from the start. He's gorgeous and talented and it seemed pretty clear to me (not so much to Iris) how smitten with her he is too.
But there are so many things standing in the way of their relationship. First off, Iris is totally unsure what Zeke feels or what he wants from her. Then she finds out that actually he's this big-time surfer who travels the world surfing the hottest spots and being sponsored. And there's also Iris's conflicted feelings about her ex-boyfriend and the fact that she might not yet be over him...
I found this book to be pretty surprising. I loved meeting Zeke's family. His brothers, his parents, his nana, they were all lovely and I just wanted to be part of that family unit. There was an incredibly touching scene involving the three Francis brothers and Nanna that had me nearly about to cry. And at the same time, I really felt for Daniel. He really cares about Iris in his own way but makes so many mistakes trying to win her back. It was a very emotional ride.
But, of course, the thing I really did love the most about this book was the surfing. Blue takes us through all sorts of different aspects of surfing. From learning to surf, surfing as a fun hobby, the competitive nature of trying to get into more pro circles and also that of someone at the top of their game in surfing. I found it all fascinating. I loved hearing about the different lingo and different things to consider and be aware of, the different boards and places to surf. Honestly, I lapped up every single detail of surfing in this book. It was all so very satisfying.
Blue was such a fun and romantic, summery beach read. I really recommend that you pick this one up and fall in love with surfing all over again!
June 24, 2014
**See this full review and more at http://bookbriefs.net**
Blue is such a fun surfer lover's romance. Perfect for the summer and beach time, this book will make you want to lay out on the beach and dive right into the ocean. Blue even made me want to hop up on a surfboard and try to catch a wave. (but let's be honest, I'm not sure I would even be able to stand up. I would spend all my time wiping out.) The book mostly takes place on what is called one of the best surfing beaches in Europe.
Iris is refreshing. She is not the type of girl that would attract your average celebrity. Sure, she is pretty. But she is low key and relaxed. I loved that Zeke was so taken with her. It said so much about the type of guy that he is. Because Iris is a quality girl, and it is impressive that an 18 year old guy that is famous and on top of his game notices quality over all the other girls that are throwing themselves at him. I thought it was adorable to see Zeke around his brothers. It was so cute to see that he had been talking to all of them about Iris. They knew who she was. It was just cute to see them all kind of joke around with him and push his buttons to see him react and admit that he liked her. Iris and Zeke are just the kind of young couple that you will love reading about and rooting for.
The secondary characters are also a treat in Blue. All of Zeke's brothers, Iris' best friend, and her ex Daniel all were prominently featured in Blue. I enjoyed getting to know all of them, and seeing their story lines. I can't wait to see them again in the next book. Another pleasant surprise in Blue is how much you will learn about surfing. All of the lingo, and the description and detail about the sport was fantastic! For example, I learned that if I were to try and learn how to surf that the whitewater would be my friend for a very, very long time!
Lisa Glass did a wonderful job with Blue. The writing was fresh, fun and conversational. It was so easy to just let yourself get lost in this cute beachy story for a couple of hours. The characters were delightful and had a rich depth to them. People are not always what they seem and people often have more going on in their lives and in their past that shape them into the person they are today. You learn a lot of assumptions and changed perceptions of the characters throughout the story. If you are looking for a fun, and beyond cute summer surf romance, look no further than Blue!
**More reviews on my website, http://bookbriefs.net **
Blue is such a fun surfer lover's romance. Perfect for the summer and beach time, this book will make you want to lay out on the beach and dive right into the ocean. Blue even made me want to hop up on a surfboard and try to catch a wave. (but let's be honest, I'm not sure I would even be able to stand up. I would spend all my time wiping out.) The book mostly takes place on what is called one of the best surfing beaches in Europe.
Iris is refreshing. She is not the type of girl that would attract your average celebrity. Sure, she is pretty. But she is low key and relaxed. I loved that Zeke was so taken with her. It said so much about the type of guy that he is. Because Iris is a quality girl, and it is impressive that an 18 year old guy that is famous and on top of his game notices quality over all the other girls that are throwing themselves at him. I thought it was adorable to see Zeke around his brothers. It was so cute to see that he had been talking to all of them about Iris. They knew who she was. It was just cute to see them all kind of joke around with him and push his buttons to see him react and admit that he liked her. Iris and Zeke are just the kind of young couple that you will love reading about and rooting for.
The secondary characters are also a treat in Blue. All of Zeke's brothers, Iris' best friend, and her ex Daniel all were prominently featured in Blue. I enjoyed getting to know all of them, and seeing their story lines. I can't wait to see them again in the next book. Another pleasant surprise in Blue is how much you will learn about surfing. All of the lingo, and the description and detail about the sport was fantastic! For example, I learned that if I were to try and learn how to surf that the whitewater would be my friend for a very, very long time!
Lisa Glass did a wonderful job with Blue. The writing was fresh, fun and conversational. It was so easy to just let yourself get lost in this cute beachy story for a couple of hours. The characters were delightful and had a rich depth to them. People are not always what they seem and people often have more going on in their lives and in their past that shape them into the person they are today. You learn a lot of assumptions and changed perceptions of the characters throughout the story. If you are looking for a fun, and beyond cute summer surf romance, look no further than Blue!
**More reviews on my website, http://bookbriefs.net **
March 10, 2017
*Full review also posted on my blog*
I bought this book simply because the main character is a surfer. I went in with no expectations and came out with a new favourite summer read. This is the perfect beach book; sun, surfing and romance set in Newquay, Cornwall.
I found the portrayal of Iris quite refreshing, she acts how a typical sixteen year old would act. She parties, she drinks underage, and she is actually able to have sex without feeling guilty or ashamed, or that she has somehow become less of a person than she was before. I don’t know where the trend for perfect, pure teenage girls has come from, but Iris goes completely against that and I love it. She isn’t the nicest of people, she can be judgey and a bit bitchy, but she is an interesting character and I really liked her despite that.
She meets pro-surfer Zeke at a yoga class and they begin to bond through their mutual love of surfing. The whirlwind romance does happen quickly, but it feels realistic and it develops and changes over the course of the book, and you can tell that the two characters do care about each other.
Zeke is not the typical carefree surfer, he has to deal with a lot of things that a normal eighteen year old wouldn’t be expected to handle. He has had to grow up very quickly being a pro-surfer and you get the sense that he is trying so hard to just be a normal teenage boy, and he is able to do that with Iris.
There are a lot of subplots running through it and in some aspects this made the book feel a little crowded. However, this didn’t distract too much from the central theme because they were so well written and the majority of the subplots were focused on Iris and Zeke, and they fleshed out their characters into real people and made them believable.
The different themes running through this book targeted the sometimes difficult aspects of life that many teenagers experience at some point and Lisa Glass handles them incredibly well. Her writing is stunning, she manages to get inside the head of a 16 year old and write very realistic characters.
This book made me want to grab a surfboard and head straight into the water the instant I had finished reading it. The descriptions were so vivid, they invoke the whole feeling of Newquay, of a summer spent at the beach, and the enjoyment of the English seaside. I loved all the technical surfing detail, the love for the sport shines through the entire book. Iris and Zeke are truly at home in the ocean and out on their surfboards.
Blue is one of the best UKYA books of its genre; a simply stunning summer read.
I bought this book simply because the main character is a surfer. I went in with no expectations and came out with a new favourite summer read. This is the perfect beach book; sun, surfing and romance set in Newquay, Cornwall.
I found the portrayal of Iris quite refreshing, she acts how a typical sixteen year old would act. She parties, she drinks underage, and she is actually able to have sex without feeling guilty or ashamed, or that she has somehow become less of a person than she was before. I don’t know where the trend for perfect, pure teenage girls has come from, but Iris goes completely against that and I love it. She isn’t the nicest of people, she can be judgey and a bit bitchy, but she is an interesting character and I really liked her despite that.
She meets pro-surfer Zeke at a yoga class and they begin to bond through their mutual love of surfing. The whirlwind romance does happen quickly, but it feels realistic and it develops and changes over the course of the book, and you can tell that the two characters do care about each other.
Zeke is not the typical carefree surfer, he has to deal with a lot of things that a normal eighteen year old wouldn’t be expected to handle. He has had to grow up very quickly being a pro-surfer and you get the sense that he is trying so hard to just be a normal teenage boy, and he is able to do that with Iris.
There are a lot of subplots running through it and in some aspects this made the book feel a little crowded. However, this didn’t distract too much from the central theme because they were so well written and the majority of the subplots were focused on Iris and Zeke, and they fleshed out their characters into real people and made them believable.
The different themes running through this book targeted the sometimes difficult aspects of life that many teenagers experience at some point and Lisa Glass handles them incredibly well. Her writing is stunning, she manages to get inside the head of a 16 year old and write very realistic characters.
This book made me want to grab a surfboard and head straight into the water the instant I had finished reading it. The descriptions were so vivid, they invoke the whole feeling of Newquay, of a summer spent at the beach, and the enjoyment of the English seaside. I loved all the technical surfing detail, the love for the sport shines through the entire book. Iris and Zeke are truly at home in the ocean and out on their surfboards.
Blue is one of the best UKYA books of its genre; a simply stunning summer read.
June 9, 2017
If you are looking for that one book to kick off your summer reading, Blue by Lisa Glass is the book you should pick up. With Iris and Zeke meeting in a yoga class, in an awkward, but compromising position, there is instant attraction between these two. It drew me in, that's for sure. Both Iris and Zeke are sporty and exude a level of confidence that made them want to know each other more. And as the reader, I wanted to know too.
While there is an immediate attraction and Iris and Zeke are drawn to each other, there is no insta-love here. Readers who are leery about insta-love stories can rest easy as you get to see the characters get to know each other and experience the friendship that begins to turn into more. But both Zeke and Iris are guarded and we begin to understand that their love story might not be so simple after all.
There were instances in Blue that took the story in a more serious direction than I ever expected. It tackles some serious issues (which I can't mention because they can be plot spoilers), and does so in a way that keeps the story from becoming overwhelmed by them.
There are many things that I loved about this book:
*the friendship between Iris and her best friend, Kelly - this added a lot of humor to the book
*the relationship between Zeke and his brother (and the rest of his family) - this explained a lot about Zeke
*reading about Iris and how she grew into this more confident person after having her heart broken by her high-school boyfriend, Daniel
*all of the emphasis on surfing - the rules, the lingo, the surf culture, the surfing lifestyle and the freedom that the characters experienced
And I especially loved reading the descriptions of being out in the ocean and the waves - it was hypnotic. I made me yearn to be in the water. It didn't make me what to go out and try to surf any time soon, but I could easily envision the surfers, in the water, experiencing the thrill of it all.
I fell hard for this book and Iris and Zeke and their story. I would call Blue a true summer read (although you could read it any time of the year). There are other characters in Blue who were interesting enough that their story lines could lead to their own books. I certainly hope that that happens in the future.
While there is an immediate attraction and Iris and Zeke are drawn to each other, there is no insta-love here. Readers who are leery about insta-love stories can rest easy as you get to see the characters get to know each other and experience the friendship that begins to turn into more. But both Zeke and Iris are guarded and we begin to understand that their love story might not be so simple after all.
There were instances in Blue that took the story in a more serious direction than I ever expected. It tackles some serious issues (which I can't mention because they can be plot spoilers), and does so in a way that keeps the story from becoming overwhelmed by them.
There are many things that I loved about this book:
*the friendship between Iris and her best friend, Kelly - this added a lot of humor to the book
*the relationship between Zeke and his brother (and the rest of his family) - this explained a lot about Zeke
*reading about Iris and how she grew into this more confident person after having her heart broken by her high-school boyfriend, Daniel
*all of the emphasis on surfing - the rules, the lingo, the surf culture, the surfing lifestyle and the freedom that the characters experienced
And I especially loved reading the descriptions of being out in the ocean and the waves - it was hypnotic. I made me yearn to be in the water. It didn't make me what to go out and try to surf any time soon, but I could easily envision the surfers, in the water, experiencing the thrill of it all.
I fell hard for this book and Iris and Zeke and their story. I would call Blue a true summer read (although you could read it any time of the year). There are other characters in Blue who were interesting enough that their story lines could lead to their own books. I certainly hope that that happens in the future.
June 12, 2015
When Iris meets Zeke in her yoga class, she knows there's something special about him. They have something very special in common too - their love of surfing. What was once just a hobby of Iris', soon becomes a passion.
I didn't understand the surfing stuff at first, because I only ever bodyboarder as a child, but I really got into it as the book progressed. It doesn't matter whether you like to surf or not, the terminology is fairly easy to work out and understand. I've already recommended this book to a friend of mine who surfs.
As Iris is falling for Zeke, she gets to meet his wonderful parents, Sephy and Dave, and his brothers, Wes and Garrett. However, Iris' ex Daniel keeps getting in the way - he was a total pain in the ass and I didn't like him one bit.
This book has something for everyone in it - love, danger, loss - and some lovely LGBT characters! There's a ton of recent, well-chosen references to popular culture, making the book very current and a brilliant YA read.
Because I go to Cornwall every summer, I know the places mentioned in this book so well, and I am really excited for my holiday now! When I go to Newquay, I might go and watch the surfers.
The only problem I had with the book was that there was a tiny error on one of the pages, if I read it correctly, which didn't fit the plot slightly - but this book is absolutely brilliant and I can't wait to read Air. It's also being made into a film, Bluer Than The Sky, which really excites me because I want to see these surfing moves being performed so I know what they all look like!
link to blog
I didn't understand the surfing stuff at first, because I only ever bodyboarder as a child, but I really got into it as the book progressed. It doesn't matter whether you like to surf or not, the terminology is fairly easy to work out and understand. I've already recommended this book to a friend of mine who surfs.
As Iris is falling for Zeke, she gets to meet his wonderful parents, Sephy and Dave, and his brothers, Wes and Garrett. However, Iris' ex Daniel keeps getting in the way - he was a total pain in the ass and I didn't like him one bit.
This book has something for everyone in it - love, danger, loss - and some lovely LGBT characters! There's a ton of recent, well-chosen references to popular culture, making the book very current and a brilliant YA read.
Because I go to Cornwall every summer, I know the places mentioned in this book so well, and I am really excited for my holiday now! When I go to Newquay, I might go and watch the surfers.
The only problem I had with the book was that there was a tiny error on one of the pages, if I read it correctly, which didn't fit the plot slightly - but this book is absolutely brilliant and I can't wait to read Air. It's also being made into a film, Bluer Than The Sky, which really excites me because I want to see these surfing moves being performed so I know what they all look like!
link to blog
August 5, 2014
For me, this is a case of forget the YA tag - this is a novel with beauty and depth that can be read with enjoyment at any age. Also, I know nothing about surfing, but was more than willing to be sucked in through the wormhole in space-time that separates the beautiful bucket-and-spade Newquay that I know, from the elementally exciting Newquay that the surfers know. The novel drew me in from the first scene in the yoga class - this was such a new and fresh world for me to be immersed in, complete with its own language, its crazily different sense of risk and its unique set of positive values. I learnt to care about Iris and Zeke, and to root for their future together, to honour their amazing maturity of outlook and their resilience, their talent and skill, and to get some sense of the sheer exhilaration and physical rush of surfing (I'll never be able to do it, so this is the next best thing). The story told in the novel has components of suspense in common with many another romance - uncertainty in a new relationship, jealousy, competition, a damaged ex-boyfriend, families..... - but all seen through the prism of an alternative culture and lifestyle - and some satisfying twists too.
But above all, this novel is beautifully imagined, intensely visual and wonderfully written. Why should the young adults have all the best books? Hugely looking forward to the sequel.
But above all, this novel is beautifully imagined, intensely visual and wonderfully written. Why should the young adults have all the best books? Hugely looking forward to the sequel.
January 5, 2019
Sięgając po tę książkę spodziewałam się, że otrzymam zwykły romans. Jednak mimo wątku miłosnego, który jest na pierwszym planie, otrzymałam również bardzo ciekawą młodzieżówkę.
Przede wszystkim jest tutaj dość duży nacisk kładziony na surfing. Nie jest to młodzieżówka, w której chodzi tylko o wątek miłosny. Hobby bohaterki jest ważnym motywem w tej pozycji i to jest naprawdę świetne.
Dodatkowo mamy tutaj niesamowity klimat lata, który sprawia, że na pewno za nim zatęsknimy. Dlatego lepiej czytać tę pozycję podczas wakacji.
Nie powinniśmy oczekiwać od niej nie wiadomo czego, ale na pewno jest to lekka młodzieżówka, którą się szybko czyta.
Przede wszystkim jest tutaj dość duży nacisk kładziony na surfing. Nie jest to młodzieżówka, w której chodzi tylko o wątek miłosny. Hobby bohaterki jest ważnym motywem w tej pozycji i to jest naprawdę świetne.
Dodatkowo mamy tutaj niesamowity klimat lata, który sprawia, że na pewno za nim zatęsknimy. Dlatego lepiej czytać tę pozycję podczas wakacji.
Nie powinniśmy oczekiwać od niej nie wiadomo czego, ale na pewno jest to lekka młodzieżówka, którą się szybko czyta.
February 3, 2019
I can’t lie; this book wasn’t great. It felt a lot more like a fanfiction than a novel. That doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy reading it though. This book is well-paced and very entertaining. I definitely raised my eyebrows a few times at some of the weird sequences that went on, but there wasn’t any specific thing that made me hate any particular part. It also made me crave the beach and the summer weather. In the end, I can’t say I regret picking it up. That said, I won’t be reading the sequels either. I’d say it’s worth the read, but don’t go in with high expectations.
April 6, 2024
I remember reading this book as a 12yr old and absolutely loving it, and when I saw it in an op shop in my local town I was so ready for some reminiscing on this book.
But even though I still loved those juicy bits and the easy flow of reading that my pre-teen self did, I did find the book predictable
I would still recommend this book for a young teenage who is just starting to get into more romance as this book IS written for young adults but as a 20year old I still enjoyed the nostalgia but there wasn’t much else there for me.
But even though I still loved those juicy bits and the easy flow of reading that my pre-teen self did, I did find the book predictable
I would still recommend this book for a young teenage who is just starting to get into more romance as this book IS written for young adults but as a 20year old I still enjoyed the nostalgia but there wasn’t much else there for me.
June 8, 2015
That ending almost gave me a heart attack! But ahh, this book was fun. I needed that. It's strange, usually cliché contemporaries aren't my thing but this book was so bloody addictive and fluffy!
I sense angst coming up in AIR and I can't wait to read more! Full review to come.
I sense angst coming up in AIR and I can't wait to read more! Full review to come.
December 17, 2016
Γενικά δεν διαβάζω ΥΑ, υπάρχει λόγος που διάβασα το συγκεκριμένο αλλά δεν είναι της παρούσης. Δεν μου αρέσουν οι έφηβοι, δεν μου άρεσε ο εαυτός μου έφηβη, δεν μου αρέσει το ΥΑ. Δεν υπήρχε λόγος να αποτελέσει εξαίρεση το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο.
October 21, 2014
YAYAYAYYAYA SURFER BOOKS :D
January 4, 2024
In this moving journey through “Blue” by Lisa Glass, I was once again enchanted by the timeless story of friendship, love, and personal growth. The characters felt like old friends, and Glass’s simple yet beautiful writing style transported me to a world I already loved. Now, more about the story AND the characters…
Iris’s spontaneous decision to attend the yoga class at the Serenity Hotel turns into an unexpected adventure when she meets the fascinating surfer Zeke. The initial uncertainty gives way to attraction, but doubts about Zeke’s intentions and the unexpected appearances of her ex-boyfriend shake Iris’s emotional world.
Iris is a charming protagonist who is guided not only by appearances but also by her intuition. The writing style allows you to empathize with Iris’s perspective, and the story offers not only a summer romance but also explores a wide range of emotions.
Above the clouds on the flight to Gambia, I found myself lost in the pages of “Blue,” while the 7 hours of the flight seemed to rush by. Books have this unique (and peculiar) ability to transport us to places we once experienced (or didn’t, hehe).
“Blue” will always hold a special place in my heart. I still remember the first time I read the book; it was even a coincidence that I got it in the first place. But at that time, I had just stopped swimming and wanted to find something new related to water, which was not possible geographically and financially. I am so excited to read the other two books for the first time.
Iris’s spontaneous decision to attend the yoga class at the Serenity Hotel turns into an unexpected adventure when she meets the fascinating surfer Zeke. The initial uncertainty gives way to attraction, but doubts about Zeke’s intentions and the unexpected appearances of her ex-boyfriend shake Iris’s emotional world.
Iris is a charming protagonist who is guided not only by appearances but also by her intuition. The writing style allows you to empathize with Iris’s perspective, and the story offers not only a summer romance but also explores a wide range of emotions.
Above the clouds on the flight to Gambia, I found myself lost in the pages of “Blue,” while the 7 hours of the flight seemed to rush by. Books have this unique (and peculiar) ability to transport us to places we once experienced (or didn’t, hehe).
“Blue” will always hold a special place in my heart. I still remember the first time I read the book; it was even a coincidence that I got it in the first place. But at that time, I had just stopped swimming and wanted to find something new related to water, which was not possible geographically and financially. I am so excited to read the other two books for the first time.
January 5, 2026
BookSloth picked up Blue in the mood for a surf romance—sea air, longing looks across the waves, feelings as big and unruly as the ocean, a story of first love. What she found instead was a coming-of-age story shaped by surfing.
The setting is unquestionably strong. Newquay feels authentic and is lovingly rendered. BookSloth was drawn to the book partly because of its Cornish surf-town backdrop, and Lisa Glass clearly understands surf culture.
The romance, though? There’s attraction, but very little chemistry. The central relationship forms very quickly, with emotional significance assumed rather than built, and that’s why it feels like instalove, even though the book tries to ground the relationship in shared experience. Shared activity doesn't equal emotional intimacy—and for BookSloth, the novel doesn’t quite bridge that gap.
What does work is the sense of identity and personal growth. Iris's relationship with surfing—the discipline, the escape, the way the sea shapes her sense of self—is convincing and well observed. There are also heavier themes touched upon (homophobia, healing from past hurt, etc.) that give the story depth beyond the sun and surf, but they sometimes feel underexplored.
If you’re chasing a romance that hits like a wave to the chest, this one stays closer to shore, but readers looking for a YA novel with a strong sense of place and a deep respect for surf culture will likely enjoy it.
Verdict: Three surfing sloths, and a renewed desire to move to Fistral. 🦥🌊
The setting is unquestionably strong. Newquay feels authentic and is lovingly rendered. BookSloth was drawn to the book partly because of its Cornish surf-town backdrop, and Lisa Glass clearly understands surf culture.
The romance, though? There’s attraction, but very little chemistry. The central relationship forms very quickly, with emotional significance assumed rather than built, and that’s why it feels like instalove, even though the book tries to ground the relationship in shared experience. Shared activity doesn't equal emotional intimacy—and for BookSloth, the novel doesn’t quite bridge that gap.
What does work is the sense of identity and personal growth. Iris's relationship with surfing—the discipline, the escape, the way the sea shapes her sense of self—is convincing and well observed. There are also heavier themes touched upon (homophobia, healing from past hurt, etc.) that give the story depth beyond the sun and surf, but they sometimes feel underexplored.
If you’re chasing a romance that hits like a wave to the chest, this one stays closer to shore, but readers looking for a YA novel with a strong sense of place and a deep respect for surf culture will likely enjoy it.
Verdict: Three surfing sloths, and a renewed desire to move to Fistral. 🦥🌊
April 6, 2019
I don't like rating books so low, but I was very disappointed with this one, especially after hearing such good things about this book a few years ago.
I really liked the surfing part, and I wish there had been more - particularly more surfing from Iris and to see more of her journey as she tries to break into the world of pro surfing.
I sometimes liked the relationship between Iris and Zeke, but most of the time wasn't really convinced by it.
There were chapter breaks within continuous scenes which interrupted the flow of the story.
There were errors, such as Iris referring to her cousin as her niece and I was very confused.
Overall, as much as I liked the surfing, it just wasn't an enjoyable read for me.
I really liked the surfing part, and I wish there had been more - particularly more surfing from Iris and to see more of her journey as she tries to break into the world of pro surfing.
I sometimes liked the relationship between Iris and Zeke, but most of the time wasn't really convinced by it.
There were chapter breaks within continuous scenes which interrupted the flow of the story.
There were errors, such as Iris referring to her cousin as her niece and I was very confused.
Overall, as much as I liked the surfing, it just wasn't an enjoyable read for me.
Read
September 6, 2021DNFed at 32%
I decided to dnf this book as I really could not give a crap about anything that was happening in this book.
The characters had no development whatsoever so I really just did not care about what was happening to them.
It felt like the book was running on x2 speed, plot arcs would come and go super quickly and it never felt like I found my footing within the book.
The author also heavily dated the book by using references that have no relevance to today’s teenagers or the people who were teenagers when they were a thing.
Overall I’m disappointed as I really wanted to love this book but i think I’m several years too late for this.
I decided to dnf this book as I really could not give a crap about anything that was happening in this book.
The characters had no development whatsoever so I really just did not care about what was happening to them.
It felt like the book was running on x2 speed, plot arcs would come and go super quickly and it never felt like I found my footing within the book.
The author also heavily dated the book by using references that have no relevance to today’s teenagers or the people who were teenagers when they were a thing.
Overall I’m disappointed as I really wanted to love this book but i think I’m several years too late for this.
June 16, 2020
I had no idea it was a series until just now. That’s quit good because I happen to be very fond of the first book. It’s a relief I have started on the first book because I can not tell you how many times I started books not knowing that they are part of a series and spoilers man. So many spoilers. But I really enjoyed this book. Quite well written. A fun romance surf/beach read. But is Zeke’s name pronounced zee-ka or zeek. Personally I went with zee-Kay because it just sounds better in my head.
June 20, 2019
2.5/3 stars. A fun easy read however these YA romances always disappoint me when the characters “fall in love” after two pages of knowing each other. I feel like this book only took place over a couple of weeks so I feel like most of the emotions and actions are very unrealistic which I found to be kind of annoying :/ I won’t be continuing the other books in this series.
August 19, 2025
4.75 stars
I loved this book. The only reason for the doc is the romance went quite quickly between Zeke and Iris in the end. At the start it almost felt like a slow burn but you got to the end and it felt almost too fast. I loved the seaside Cornish town aspect because I have been to Newquay and I knew where all the places where. Excited to read the rest of the series.
I loved this book. The only reason for the doc is the romance went quite quickly between Zeke and Iris in the end. At the start it almost felt like a slow burn but you got to the end and it felt almost too fast. I loved the seaside Cornish town aspect because I have been to Newquay and I knew where all the places where. Excited to read the rest of the series.
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