Summer Christmas Special Edition

Summer #8

by Katherine Applegate

Enjoying picture-perfect college life on Coconut Key with her brother and best friends, Summer Smith is unable to forget Austin when the Christmas season arrives, and she hopes for a reconciliation when they team up for a shared cause. Original.

Genres: Young Adult, Christmas, Romance, Summer, Contemporary, Holiday, Fiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published November 8, 1996

About the author

#1 New York Times bestselling author Katherine Applegate has written many books for young readers, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal.

Katherine’s picture books include THE BUFFALO STORM, illustrated by Jan Ormerod (Clarion Books); THE REMARKABLE TRUE STORY OF IVAN, THE SHOPPING MALL GORILLA, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Clarion Books); SOMETIMES YOU FLY, illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt (Clarion Books); and ODDER: AN OTTER’S STORY, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Feiwel & Friends).

She’s written or co-written three early chapter series for young readers: ROSCOE RILEY RULES, a seven-book series illustrated by Brian Biggs (HarperCollins); DOGGO AND PUPPER, a three-book series illustrated by Charlie Alder (Feiwel & Friends). With Gennifer Choldenko, she co-authored DOGTOWN and MOUSE AND HIS DOG, illustrated by Wallace West (Feiwel & Friends).

Books for middle-grade readers include HOME OF THE BRAVE (Feiwel & Friends); THE ONE AND ONLY series, illustrated by Patricia Castelao, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, THE ONE AND ONLY BOB, THE ONE AND ONLY RUBY, and THE ONE AND ONLY FAMILY (HarperCollins); the ENDLING trilogy (HarperCollins); CRENSHAW (Feiwel & Friends); WISHTREE (Feiwel & Friends); WILLODEEN (Feiwel & Friends); ODDER (Feiwel & Friends); and the forthcoming POCKET BEAR (Feiwel & Friends).

With her husband, Michael Grant, Katherine co-wrote ANIMORPHS, a long-running series that has sold over 35 million books worldwide. They also wrote two other series, REMNANTS and EVERWORLD, and a young adult novel, EVE AND ADAM (Feiwel & Friends.)

Katherine’s work has been translated into dozens of languages, and her books have won accolades including the Christopher Medal, the Golden Kite Award, the Bank Street Josette Frank Award, the California Book Award Gold Medal, the Crystal Kite Award, the Green Earth Book Honor Award, the Charlotte Zolotow Honor Award, and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award. Many of her works have appeared on state master lists, Best of the Year lists, and Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and New York Times bestseller lists.

Katherine lives in Nevada with her husband and assorted pets. She is represented by Elena Giovinazzo at Heirloom Literary and Mary Pender at WME.

Reviews

[The Candid Cover (Olivia & Lori) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Review on The Candid Cover

Sun-Kissed Christmas may seem short, but the multiple storylines make it very complex. The book takes place in Florida, where I would definitely like to be right now, and the main character is selfless and determined. This book goes by quickly and is perfect for the holidays.

There is so much going on in this short 208-page book, but I feel like everything is developed so nicely. One of the concepts in the book is Summer’s friends taking care of a young girl when her mom abandons her at the mall. This seemed a little bit like a retelling of Miracle on 34th Street, which I don’t think I’ve read before. Another plot line in Sun-Kissed Christmas consists of Summer trying to reunite two people who met in the war. Her goal is to recreate their meeting in her backyard. I found this so sweet and really enjoyed reading it.

I loved the Florida setting in this book so much! I am such a sucker for any book set on a beach, so naturally, I was drawn to this one. Just reading about the tropical climate and the beaches made me feel like I was somewhere warm, not stuck in Canada in the winter. This is the dream winter break location for me, and I was glad to experience it as I was reading.

Summer’s character is enjoyable. What I liked about her is her ability to prevent the opinions of others from changing her mind. She is so determined and headstrong. Summer is also selfless and compassionate, which is something I always like to see. If she were a real person, I would definitely want to be her friend.

Sun-Kissed Christmas is a short yet complex story set in Florida. I enjoyed the main character and her sweet personality. This is such a quick read that will only take a couple of hours, so I would definitely recommend this for someone looking for a short and sweet holiday book.

[Keri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really enjoy the last book Tan Lines so my expectations for this one were pretty low. I didn't like that the Adam/Jared part from the last book was pretty much just brushed away. That was probably my favorite part of the last book and I think it could have been a way more interesting plot line. I hate that she goes back to Austin. I was already tired of her going back and forth between Austin and Seth. I wish she had met someone completely new. I also hate that Diana continued to be a complete bitch and everyone just deals with it. It would have been nice to see more character development from her. I mean Seth and Summer both just seemed to have forgotten all the crap she did. I mean, it wasn't petty stuff she did last book. I definitely wouldn't have been able to just sweep all that under the rug like all the characters seemed to do. I also missed Diver in this one. He is one of the more interesting characters of the series and he was barely in it.

[Kalia Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe I finished this book in one day, I am SOOOOOO depressed that this series end here. You'll grow old but books will always stay the same, the characters will always stay the same, and also the story. This book really made me cry at the end. I came to loving this series so much! I am just SOOO sad right now, I can't believe it, for real. When I get old one day, I will always be rereading this series over again. Ok, excuse me, but I'm just SO upset now. LOVED this series a lot.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

   Even though the semester was hard, Summer has finished all but one class and for that all she needs to do is an interview with and report on a WWII veteran. Austin happens to have a great-uncle Harris who served, but it means getting back in touch with him and seeing him with his new girlfriend Esme. Add in the lack of cold, snow, and a big Christmas tree, Summer’s Christmas is looking less than Hallmark-esque. Diana and Marquez at least are off to a good start dressing up as Santa’s reindeer to help out, until a young mother leaves her daughter Sarah with them and disappears. Will Summer make her own Hallmark Christmas, and will Santa bring Sarah her mother back?
   Honestly I was hoping to see Jared’s reveal play out, but that got glossed over in favor of Summer attempting to recreate a hopeful and romantic Christmas from Harris’ past. Arguably, this book focused more on Summer’s efforts to help Harris, and Diana and Marquez taking care of Sarah, leaving the Summer /Austin thread to stay in the background and be wrapped up rather quickly. This means that this installment didn’t feel as fleshed out as the omnibus of Tan Lines, more of an afterthought to tie up the series and be one last foray into Summer’s life. After the high that Tan Lines left me on, I was disappointed with this follow up. I had gotten so used to the drama Summer was going through, that this lack of personal drama felt like a let-down. Especially when there was a lot of opportunity for drama and interesting times with “Jared;” the cursory treatment that got was a little too drama-free given everything that they had between them. I was ultimately with the final result of Summer/Austin, once she got pointed in the right direction, though it was just too quick for me.

Quote:
"A love remembered with regret is the saddest thing in the world, Austin." - page 75

[Jacqueline Langille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another light read to finish up the year. It's pretty good for a short entry in a long series. I haven't read any of the others in the series, but still enjoyed this one. The Florida setting at Christmas time was fun and was evoked imaginatively by this author. All the emotions are represented quite well in this story. I can see why this author had such success with this series.

[Tiffaney Simmers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad this series is at an end. And kinda weird it ended with a Christmas theme. But was still pretty good! Feel like it could have been longer and focused on a better ending to the other main characters. But it still feels like I can accept the end.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read this book to find out what happened between Austin and Summer the whole book seemed like a waste of a read because the author ended the book terribly they just kiss and happily ever after its like what about Austins girlfriend and does this mean Summer and Austin are together???? the worse part is there's no book next that was the authors way in ending a series.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book about an hour after the ball dropped and I think it was an amazing way to end 2011 and to start 2012. I love these books.
Austin and Summer, Diana and Seth. And Sarah? This book made me sad, happy, crazy, and keep me on edge. It's a great read.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars really
I loved the first book/volume sooooo much and was so excited to read the rest of the series, but they just fell flat for me. :/ The author kept skipping over major plot lines, like Diana & Seth hooking up and Adam's accident & healing, I kept thinking I'd missed a book somewhere.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slight disappointment. Beach blondes and spring break were really good and tan lines and this book just wasnt as good. Fast read tho

[Matthew MacIntyre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I did it. I finished the series. Am I glad it’s over yes. This last book was a full fluff piece. It was really just a book to get you to feel emotionally towards some characters who have been pretty horrible in most of the books. The two big plot points that tied the book together were so outlandish and would be like this is a very special episode of a 90s tv show. First we get long lost lovers brought back together, then the abandoned child wanting her mother back. Throw in Christmas and it was just too much. Summer needs to write a history paper about someone affected by war so Austin introduces her to his great Uncle Harris who tells her all about the war and is first love Vera. So of course Summer wants to reunite them. Then during a Christmas event Diana and Marquez meet Jennie who is around their age and has a young daughter, Sarah. Jennie just skips town leaving Sarah with them. Seth comes back to town and Diana is afraid that he and Summer will rekindle their love. Austin and Summer continue their flirting throughout the entire book. Marquez and Diver are just there lmao. The whole book just ties everything up so sweet and unrealistic. Harris and Vera get engaged, Vera hires Jennie who comes back on Christmas Day to be a maid at her inn so now Jennie and Sarah have a place to live (which is what she asked Santa for) Diana and Seth end things starting a relationship and even Mallory, Diana’s mom sends her an out of character Christmas gift. Like I said Marquez and Diver are just still together. And lastly Summer tells Austin she loves him and that she knows about his disease and chooses him. Barf. Also it snows on Christmas in Florida shut the fuck up. A couple things irked me it is just mentioned in passing about Summer finding out Jared was Adam so the whole last books subplot resolved in a paragraph lame. No mention at all of Divers legal problems from the last book at all. I’m glad the series ended with this book. It’s like what else could happen to these selfish bitchy backstabbing people. Amnesia, evil twin, natural disasters. They mention soap operas and that’s what this series was just over the top situation a free situation that everyone gets over so quickly or that is never mentioned again.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely the best of the series - it was so cute!

It’s a short book, but there are still 3 fairly deep storylines:

- Marquez and Diana dealing with an abandoned child Sarah;

- Summer’s genealogy project that involved setting up a WWII veteran with his former nurse;

- the Diana/Seth/Summer/Austin romance

I really liked seeing a sweeter side of both Marquez and Diana in this one as they helped little Sarah to have a merry Christmas. Though it was pretty implausible, it was still super cute and I liked how that storyline was resolved.

I also liked Summer bringing the lonely veteran and his former nurse together, and since Austin was my favorite of all the guys Summer liked, I was happy with how this one concluded. Mostly I was happy that Summer was independent and didn’t have a boyfriend just to have one. She just loved Austin.

[Kim Smiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the last installment in this series. It was a very fast book to read and I liked the way it wrapped things up.

Summer is now going to that Carlson school and is finishing up her first semester. She is living w/ Marquez and Diana, who has been writing to Seth and he'll be visiting her at Christmas. Diver is living with Austin, who is dating someone new.

This book is kinda funny. Summer is realizing that now that she's had time off from guys and has been concentrating on school, she is ready for a guy in her life and she is still in love with Austin. Diana ends up being a stand-in mom to a 4 yr. old girl who was left at the Center at a x-mas party and she likes it. She's also very insecure about Seth coming to see her, wondering if he really is done with Summer.

Marquez and Diver are an item and it seems shes getting a hold on her eating disorder.

So this book also brings in the character of Austin's uncle, who Summer is interviewing for her final paper for school since he was in a war.

Glad I didn't skip this book as it really tied up all of these characters loose ends so you know where they stood by the time the book came to an end.

[Riley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars I forgot how much i love this series the only problem was that I wish we could see more of Austin and summer happy . But I guess the point of the ending was for me to imagine

[Nayanna Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I noticed some typos / misspelled words in the book. However, I thought it was a really good book overall. I started reading it thinking I would only read for maybe 30 minutes and finished it in a few hours.
- I liked the extra character that was in the book and her wish and thoughts around the Christmas holiday. I liked how it portrayed Diana's "softer" side a little more.
-I also liked the "Christmas Miracles" that were shown throughout the book from Harris and Vera to little Sara.


Side Note: It was the last book that I read of the series, I ended up reading the others out of order. I did find the series as a whole the to be confusing as to what books where what number. I started with Beach Blondes and ended with Sun-Kissed Christmas. I need to know what happens next, we need another book Katherine.

[Shoshanah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually a really pleasant surprise! Sun-Kissed Christmas is the last in Katherine Applegate’s Summer series.

These books were originally published in the 90s but then repackaged and rereleased about 10 years ago. It makes an interesting feel. So many of the pop culture references are updated (for example, I’m sure a reference to Netflix originally used Blockbuster), but it still has such a 90s feel.

There was a small subplot here that reminded me a bit of The Notebook. Except coincidentally this book was released barely a month after The Notebook was first published.

This book was such an adorable nostalgic read and a perfect book way to tie up everyone’s stories. I’d even say it’s my favorite of the series.

4.5/5

[Emily Burdick · Rating 2 out of 5]

My least favorite of the whole series; I could have done without reading it to be honest. I know this is a corny, teen summer romance series but this book was just...strange. I would have liked it better if it revolved entirely around the “will they, won’t they” drama of Austin and Summer’s relationship than the weird mother abandoning her child with Diana and Marquez and Diana’s incessant distrust of Seth and Summer. I was honestly disappointed to see Diana behave this way, when I felt like she had a bit of redemption in the last book. Also, you want me to believe it snowed in the Florida Keys? Please...

[Julie Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so effing relieved to be done with this series lol. Reading the four of the books back to back was a bit much. Overall, it’s a sweet, trashy little read of a book with predictability and goodness.

I’m glad Summer ended up with Austin, but I can honestly say that I don’t like either of their characters lol. Over a thousand pages later, and I’m at this conclusion, so take that for what you will.

[Stefanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Happy Christmas on July.

Would I have liked this more if I had read it when it was first released? Probably. This is exactly the types of teens books I loved, but I saw it for super cheap and couldn’t say no since it was a series I had wanted to read.

[Danielle Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always the first book was my favorite but I wanted to finish the series.

[Kayla Plutzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was fun but very poorly written

[Lexine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Much less annoying than Tan Lines. Okay book to wrap up this 8-book series.

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit lame. She ends up with Austin.

[Marya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun teenage romance beach series

[Lisa Atkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Alexandra Harnung · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed the Jared/Adam plot was just swept aside. That was a huge twist and had so much potential.

[Nat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why doesn’t this book have a epilogue 😒

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yet again barely any explanation about Adam/Jared. Would have been so interesting to have explored this more. So many typos as well.

[Savannah (Books With Bite) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hadn't realized this book is part of a series, but now that I know. I will definitely read up on it. I read this story today cause I felt I needed a good happy romance for Christmas Day. And yes, this book gave me exactly what I wanted.

This book is quick read. Just a littler over 170 pages, I was able to dive into a romance fast. I love that the romance didn't build up quickly, but was part of their past. They had a relationship before. Coming back together again, it sparks up memories of a past time that they both want again.

I like that this story didn't just include their romance but also a lost romance during the war. I like that they worked together to bring to lost lovers together. It is amazing to see that when you meet the one. They are the one. No matter how many years has past or even if you moved on. That person will always have your heart.

Even thought this book is part of a series, I had no trouble reading the book. All the past of the characters is quickly told with just the right information. Nothing confusing but all entertaining.

I will definitely look into this series and read the other books.

Sun-Kissed Christmas is a great holiday read. Full of lost love and new found love, finding the one is a rare precious moment. It's something you want to hang on to, even if you are scared.

[Edinette · Rating 3 out of 5]

It didn't step up to par with Beach Blondes - and neither did any of the other books in the series.
The characters have developed, but not every character got a chance in the limelight.

This was focused primarily on Summer's feelings toward Austin and Austin's feelings towards Summer, as well as what was boiling between Seth and Diana.

The story took a plot twist with Sarah, but other than that it was very bland and ordinary - nothing really stood out and made it an extraordinary book.

However, I found the little budding romance between Harris and Vera to be very sweet.

I did wish to read more about Marquez as she always got a chuckle out of me.

Nothing special but it did help me get into the Christmas spirit.