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Somewhere Summer: 26 Kisses; How My Summer Went Up in Flames
Morgan Matson meets Kasie West in this perfect summertime read that includes two sizzling romances, 26 Kisses and How My Summer Went up in Flames, in one charming package!
After heartbreak, the road back to redemption—and romance—can always be found… somewhere .
In 26 Kisses , getting dumped by her boyfriend is not how Veda planned on starting her summer. Veda is heartbroken and humiliated—but, more importantly, she’s inspired. So she sets out on the love quest of a use the summer to move on and move up. All she has to do is kiss twenty-six boys with twenty-six different names—one for each letter of the alphabet.
From the top of the Ferris wheel at her hometown carnival to the sandy dunes of Lake Michigan, Veda takes every opportunity she can to add kisses (and boys) to her list, and soon the break-up doesn’t sting quite as much. But just when Veda thinks she has the whole kissing thing figured out, she meets someone who turns her world upside down.
In How My Summer Went up in Flames , Rosie’s always been impulsive. She didn’t intend to set her cheating ex-boyfriend’s car on fire. And she never thought her attempts to make amends could be considered stalking. So when she’s served with a temporary restraining order on the first day of summer vacation, she’s heartbroken—and furious.
To put distance between Rosie and her ex, Rosie’s parents send her on a cross-country road trip with responsible, reliable neighbor Matty and his two friends. Forget freedom of the road, Rosie wants to hitchhike home and win back her ex. But her determination starts to dwindle with each passing mile. Because Rosie’s spark of anger? It may have just ignited a romance with someone new…
Whether it’s somewhere in the alphabet, or somewhere on the open road—romance awaits!
After heartbreak, the road back to redemption—and romance—can always be found… somewhere .
In 26 Kisses , getting dumped by her boyfriend is not how Veda planned on starting her summer. Veda is heartbroken and humiliated—but, more importantly, she’s inspired. So she sets out on the love quest of a use the summer to move on and move up. All she has to do is kiss twenty-six boys with twenty-six different names—one for each letter of the alphabet.
From the top of the Ferris wheel at her hometown carnival to the sandy dunes of Lake Michigan, Veda takes every opportunity she can to add kisses (and boys) to her list, and soon the break-up doesn’t sting quite as much. But just when Veda thinks she has the whole kissing thing figured out, she meets someone who turns her world upside down.
In How My Summer Went up in Flames , Rosie’s always been impulsive. She didn’t intend to set her cheating ex-boyfriend’s car on fire. And she never thought her attempts to make amends could be considered stalking. So when she’s served with a temporary restraining order on the first day of summer vacation, she’s heartbroken—and furious.
To put distance between Rosie and her ex, Rosie’s parents send her on a cross-country road trip with responsible, reliable neighbor Matty and his two friends. Forget freedom of the road, Rosie wants to hitchhike home and win back her ex. But her determination starts to dwindle with each passing mile. Because Rosie’s spark of anger? It may have just ignited a romance with someone new…
Whether it’s somewhere in the alphabet, or somewhere on the open road—romance awaits!
576 pages, Paperback
Published July 28, 2020
About the author
Anna Michels
2 books91 followersWhen I was writing 26 Kisses, I asked myself, "If you could be seventeen again and be kissed anywhere by any guy, what would happen?" My favorite scenes in the book grew out of that question--scenes that are stuffed to the gills with the sights, sounds, and smells of summer, and the fluttery feeling you really only get with a first kiss. I loved writing 26 Kisses, and I hope you love reading it!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 27, 2020
Loved the second book not so much the first!!!
July 5, 2022
I'm counting this as only the second book being read because I counted the first one as being read on its own, so.. Anyways it was okay, but not my favorite.
March 14, 2023
3.5 stars overall for the 2 in 1 book… I am debating between 3 stars though
Thoughts for 26 Kisses
-I first posted this on the status update on here so I had a word limit-
Rating: 3.5 stars
It was a cute and fast paced read. Although, there were a few things regarding the characters I’m not sure how I feel about and how they treated the main character. I’d elaborate but I have a word limit on this thing and I do t want to officially leave a review yet + I’m lazy lol.
I would also love to learn more about Lila
My Thoughts On How My Summer Went Up In Flames
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Pretty fun read, I enjoy books where the characters travel and they went to a lot of fun places in here. The main character was very feisty and very three dimensional. It was nice to see her character growth at the end.
Minor spoiler!:
I wasn’t sure how I felt about the romance though, I did think it was going to end without it.
All in all, both books were cute fast paced YA reads that also dealt with the heartbreak and emotions in life. I would’ve definitely loved them in high school
Thoughts for 26 Kisses
-I first posted this on the status update on here so I had a word limit-
Rating: 3.5 stars
It was a cute and fast paced read. Although, there were a few things regarding the characters I’m not sure how I feel about and how they treated the main character. I’d elaborate but I have a word limit on this thing and I do t want to officially leave a review yet + I’m lazy lol.
I would also love to learn more about Lila
My Thoughts On How My Summer Went Up In Flames
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Pretty fun read, I enjoy books where the characters travel and they went to a lot of fun places in here. The main character was very feisty and very three dimensional. It was nice to see her character growth at the end.
Minor spoiler!:
I wasn’t sure how I felt about the romance though, I did think it was going to end without it.
All in all, both books were cute fast paced YA reads that also dealt with the heartbreak and emotions in life. I would’ve definitely loved them in high school
July 28, 2026
she definitely got a cold sore or herpes or some shi
October 16, 2020
26 kisses: 3 stars, wasn't that great but was cute.
How My Summer Went Up in Flames: 4 stars, was cute and I liked the friendships. Just wanted to see a little bit more romance.
How My Summer Went Up in Flames: 4 stars, was cute and I liked the friendships. Just wanted to see a little bit more romance.
January 11, 2023
Both books where really good! Definitely a great summer combo!
September 13, 2025
This book automatically lost a star for me when I read that they fed their dog Oreo cookies...dogs cannot have chocolate...the author should have double checked these things before a reader like me gets mad and almost stops reading. And who lets their teenage daughter take a road trip with three boys? Two of which they have never met? Such implausible things happened in this one...be forewarned...
The stories were clearly marketed for younger readers, but I usually enjoy a brainless read while floating in the pool...this one was exactly that, but with some typos, spelling errors and just things that this reader didn't like...like the dog eating oreos...an ok read, but not one that you need to rush out and get.
The stories were clearly marketed for younger readers, but I usually enjoy a brainless read while floating in the pool...this one was exactly that, but with some typos, spelling errors and just things that this reader didn't like...like the dog eating oreos...an ok read, but not one that you need to rush out and get.
August 19, 2021
Was very good
February 11, 2025
26 Kisses-2 stars
How my summer went up in flames-2.25 stars
2.25 stars in total
How my summer went up in flames-2.25 stars
2.25 stars in total
January 18, 2026
read it before
October 13, 2020
awesome
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews