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Sixteenth Summer #1
Sixteenth Summer
Anna is dreading another tourist-filled summer on Dune Island that follows the same routine: beach, ice cream, friends, repeat. That is, until she locks eyes with Will, the gorgeous and sweet guy visiting from New York. Soon, her summer is filled with flirtatious fun as Anna falls head over heels in love.
But with every perfect afternoon, sweet kiss, and walk on the beach, Anna can't ignore that the days are quickly growing shorter, and Will has to leave at the end of August. Anna's never felt anything like this before, but when forever isn't even a possibility, one summer doesn't feel worth the promise of her heart breaking...
But with every perfect afternoon, sweet kiss, and walk on the beach, Anna can't ignore that the days are quickly growing shorter, and Will has to leave at the end of August. Anna's never felt anything like this before, but when forever isn't even a possibility, one summer doesn't feel worth the promise of her heart breaking...
283 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2011
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June 29, 2011
Summer
. It doesn't always have to be about mermaids and unicorns.
Sometimes, it just about a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him not to smash her sandcastle. And sometimes, that boy smashes it anyway.
But not in this book - in this one, they frikkin build sandcastles. One of them: a replica of the Sydney Opera House. Damn right.
In her small beach town, Anna meets and falls fast head over heels for Will, the boy from the city. She gets wrapped up in the magic of spending summer with her new squeeze and nearly forgets that he will be leaving by the end of the season. But he will leave. She knows she will have to deal with that and starts to pull away from him. Somehow, Will manages to win her over with his wiley charms, anyway.
The love interest's name is Will Cooper, which of course made me think of Will Grayson and Tiny Cooper from Will Grayson Will Grayson. If there are any "regular people" fictional characters out there that I loved, it's them. So then I got all nostalgic and junk.
Sixteenth Summer is fairly basic, not a lot of melodrama, but it evokes the feel of summer and perfectly captures the mind of a teenager during the season of short-lived-sappy romances. At one point in the book, the MC spent about 5 pages talking about a bathing suit wrap to wear to the beach, but with the voice she used, she managed to make it at least slightly interesting, or at least not as outright boring as it could have been. So that, in and of itself, is a feat. Especially coming from me, who has zero interest in fashion. A graphic tee and jeans for me, please.
Sixteenth Summer is perfect for those out there that go giddy and googly-eyed over the sap. This was sappy as Pooh's honey tree.
There are longing stares over campfire, scoops of ice cream galore, and a LOT of happy love thoughts. This felt too much like a generic relationship. Girl sees boy across the way. Boy meets girl's eyes. A few days later they see each other again. Boy asks girl out. Boy and girl get to know each other. I guess I am just more of a fan of slow developing relationships: Anti-generic relationships, best friends that become lovers, or a love-hate relationship. Not like-at-first-sight romances.
The one thing that I really liked was the fact this book told a clean, angst-free summer romance. The truth is that not all relationship are Dr Phil-worthy. And not all teens only think about to who and when they are going to lose their virginity or dwell constantly on the fact that they are virgins. In fact, I don't think this book ever mentioned sex. It may be rare, yes. But it is entirely possible.
Sometimes, relationships are just about learning to be. Or learning to be together. That's what this book is. It isn't fantastical or epic or even highly dramatic. It's just simply about a connection between two people.
What I didn't like
• A little too perfect until the last 50 pages or so
• Too much lovey-dovey, not enough grit
• Generic summer romance
What I liked
• Little baby sea turtles hatching and venturing into the ocean
• Möbius strip bracelet
• Nearly angst free
• Strong female with her own separate life and sense of purpose
All in all, it was just too perfect. If you are looking for a perky and uppity summer romance with very little angst, then I really think you would love this. Very cute. Liked it, didn't love it.
This is a perfect book for younger teen girls, I think. If you constantly find yourself singing, "Huh. Tell me more, tell me more. Was it love at first sight?" and wishing that Danny Zuko was a good boy and that Grease was about the summer before Sandy transferred to Ridell High, then this book would be your let's-go-for-a-midnight-roll-in-the-sand-while-giggling-and-watching-sea-turtles-babies-run-free DREAM.
(Thanks to S&S for letting me read this as an ARC!)
Sometimes, it just about a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him not to smash her sandcastle. And sometimes, that boy smashes it anyway.
But not in this book - in this one, they frikkin build sandcastles. One of them: a replica of the Sydney Opera House. Damn right.
In her small beach town, Anna meets and falls fast head over heels for Will, the boy from the city. She gets wrapped up in the magic of spending summer with her new squeeze and nearly forgets that he will be leaving by the end of the season. But he will leave. She knows she will have to deal with that and starts to pull away from him. Somehow, Will manages to win her over with his wiley charms, anyway.
The love interest's name is Will Cooper, which of course made me think of Will Grayson and Tiny Cooper from Will Grayson Will Grayson. If there are any "regular people" fictional characters out there that I loved, it's them. So then I got all nostalgic and junk.
Sixteenth Summer is fairly basic, not a lot of melodrama, but it evokes the feel of summer and perfectly captures the mind of a teenager during the season of short-lived-sappy romances. At one point in the book, the MC spent about 5 pages talking about a bathing suit wrap to wear to the beach, but with the voice she used, she managed to make it at least slightly interesting, or at least not as outright boring as it could have been. So that, in and of itself, is a feat. Especially coming from me, who has zero interest in fashion. A graphic tee and jeans for me, please.
Sixteenth Summer is perfect for those out there that go giddy and googly-eyed over the sap. This was sappy as Pooh's honey tree.
There are longing stares over campfire, scoops of ice cream galore, and a LOT of happy love thoughts. This felt too much like a generic relationship. Girl sees boy across the way. Boy meets girl's eyes. A few days later they see each other again. Boy asks girl out. Boy and girl get to know each other. I guess I am just more of a fan of slow developing relationships: Anti-generic relationships, best friends that become lovers, or a love-hate relationship. Not like-at-first-sight romances.
The one thing that I really liked was the fact this book told a clean, angst-free summer romance. The truth is that not all relationship are Dr Phil-worthy. And not all teens only think about to who and when they are going to lose their virginity or dwell constantly on the fact that they are virgins. In fact, I don't think this book ever mentioned sex. It may be rare, yes. But it is entirely possible.
Sometimes, relationships are just about learning to be. Or learning to be together. That's what this book is. It isn't fantastical or epic or even highly dramatic. It's just simply about a connection between two people.
What I didn't like
• A little too perfect until the last 50 pages or so
• Too much lovey-dovey, not enough grit
• Generic summer romance
What I liked
• Little baby sea turtles hatching and venturing into the ocean
• Möbius strip bracelet
• Nearly angst free
• Strong female with her own separate life and sense of purpose
All in all, it was just too perfect. If you are looking for a perky and uppity summer romance with very little angst, then I really think you would love this. Very cute. Liked it, didn't love it.
This is a perfect book for younger teen girls, I think. If you constantly find yourself singing, "Huh. Tell me more, tell me more. Was it love at first sight?" and wishing that Danny Zuko was a good boy and that Grease was about the summer before Sandy transferred to Ridell High, then this book would be your let's-go-for-a-midnight-roll-in-the-sand-while-giggling-and-watching-sea-turtles-babies-run-free DREAM.
(Thanks to S&S for letting me read this as an ARC!)
May 19, 2011
There's something about rhythm of summer that slows down time and makes every moment especially delicious. Summer's fleeting season means that its moments are also bittersweet, however, and no one knows this better than beach-town girl Anna Patrick. She's falling head over heels in love with Will...but knows that he'll soon have to go back to New York where he belongs.
I'm not much of a contemporary YA romance person, but found myself thoroughly charmed by this book, which is the perfect lighthearted beach read but is also filled with unexpected layers. After reading so many paranormal or dystopian novels with complicated set-ups or books that put you through the emotional wringer, it's so nice to relax with a book that doesn't have a typical love triangle, bad boy posturing, or some sort of looming imminent danger. It's also a pleasure to read about teens who are actually nice to each other and do normal things like going on cute dates and talking on the phone, and who have good relationships with the adults in their lives.
Anna and Will's summer is filled with ice cream and curly fries and bike rides and barbecues and long walks in the moonlight...and kissing. Lots of kissing. Anna is a relatable, likable girl who has normal insecurities but doesn't let them spin out of control--and she takes the time to be a good friend even as she's learning what it's like to be a girlfriend for the first time. It's easy to see why Will falls for Anna and for this comfortable and amazing town, which is almost like a character of its very own, because I'd sure like to visit! You can practically feel the sand between your toes and the warmth of the sun on your arms and the coldness of Anna's Pineapple Ginger Ale ice cream melting in your mouth. There are also lovely moments with luxurious swims, encounters with crabs on the beach at night, a bittersweet baby sea turtle rescue, and a beautiful early morning moment that Anna shares with Will that I won't spoil with details, but will be familiar to anyone who's ever lived near a beach.
I'm mostly glad, however, that although this is a romance book and it's all about Anna's relationship with Will, she lives a rich and bustling life outside of him. He enriches her interactions with her friends and her family and her job and her pursuits, but he doesn't define them. Even as summer draws to a close, Anna agonizes over the upcoming heartache of their separation, since she knows that losing her first love will hurt badly. But she's smart enough enough to know that no matter what happens, she is strong enough to handle it--which is a great message for women everywhere, no matter what her age.
I loved being so consumed by Will. Adored it. But I kind of hated it too, because I felt like a huge part of myself had been wrested from my control. I mean, sometimes you just want to make a peanut butter sandwich without being overcome by your own passion, you know?
I don't normally gush over books like this, but I found this book to be full of sweet, sweet moments, believable conflicts, smart, funny characters, and a surprisingly nuanced narrative underneath its romantic YA surface. It's a perfect summer read that will take you back to those heady days of falling in love for the first time...with the added bonus of leaving you with a big goofy smile on your face.
This review may also be found in The Midnight Garden.
I'm not much of a contemporary YA romance person, but found myself thoroughly charmed by this book, which is the perfect lighthearted beach read but is also filled with unexpected layers. After reading so many paranormal or dystopian novels with complicated set-ups or books that put you through the emotional wringer, it's so nice to relax with a book that doesn't have a typical love triangle, bad boy posturing, or some sort of looming imminent danger. It's also a pleasure to read about teens who are actually nice to each other and do normal things like going on cute dates and talking on the phone, and who have good relationships with the adults in their lives.
Anna and Will's summer is filled with ice cream and curly fries and bike rides and barbecues and long walks in the moonlight...and kissing. Lots of kissing. Anna is a relatable, likable girl who has normal insecurities but doesn't let them spin out of control--and she takes the time to be a good friend even as she's learning what it's like to be a girlfriend for the first time. It's easy to see why Will falls for Anna and for this comfortable and amazing town, which is almost like a character of its very own, because I'd sure like to visit! You can practically feel the sand between your toes and the warmth of the sun on your arms and the coldness of Anna's Pineapple Ginger Ale ice cream melting in your mouth. There are also lovely moments with luxurious swims, encounters with crabs on the beach at night, a bittersweet baby sea turtle rescue, and a beautiful early morning moment that Anna shares with Will that I won't spoil with details, but will be familiar to anyone who's ever lived near a beach.
I'm mostly glad, however, that although this is a romance book and it's all about Anna's relationship with Will, she lives a rich and bustling life outside of him. He enriches her interactions with her friends and her family and her job and her pursuits, but he doesn't define them. Even as summer draws to a close, Anna agonizes over the upcoming heartache of their separation, since she knows that losing her first love will hurt badly. But she's smart enough enough to know that no matter what happens, she is strong enough to handle it--which is a great message for women everywhere, no matter what her age.
I loved being so consumed by Will. Adored it. But I kind of hated it too, because I felt like a huge part of myself had been wrested from my control. I mean, sometimes you just want to make a peanut butter sandwich without being overcome by your own passion, you know?
I don't normally gush over books like this, but I found this book to be full of sweet, sweet moments, believable conflicts, smart, funny characters, and a surprisingly nuanced narrative underneath its romantic YA surface. It's a perfect summer read that will take you back to those heady days of falling in love for the first time...with the added bonus of leaving you with a big goofy smile on your face.
This review may also be found in The Midnight Garden.
March 20, 2015
Oh boy, this book was really charming.
It was like a spell taking me back in time, remembering how it felt to be in love for the very first time. But more than that it reminded me of the last time I fell in love, and it was both scary and exciting to see my memories brought somehow back to life.
You see, I believe in love at first sight.. Off course it takes a lot more than that to get to the point of actually being in love, but that journey is the one that counts, that makes your heart flutter, that makes you giggle like a kid on Christmas Eve.
It’s getting embracing – having this huge smile on my face while reading these cute stories in public, with all those people looking at me like I‘m the crazy one, and not them for not returning my hugebeautiful smile. Still, I can’t get enough of them (the stories not the boring, unsmiling people), I have no cure: I love love-stories and I will as long as I live.
So this being said, I loved to read about Anna and her summer love.
Through most of the story I had this big grin on my face, laughing and giggling like a schoolgirl, enjoying Anna’s insecurities and wittiness and loving every word, every scene, every moment.
It's not like the rest of the story wasn't as good, it's just that some parts were funnier and I’ve always loved the idea and the feeling of falling in love. I simply can't compare it with anything else.
The book has 3 stages: falling in love, being in love, and fearing the moment when you might need to fall out of love.It differs from person to person, but for me it felt as realistic as it can get.
On the ‘falling in love stage’, there was this dizziness and happiness while Anna tried to decide if the boy she liked was returning her feelings.
There were awkward silences between them and they managed to say all the wrong things to each other; there was a lot of both shyness and boldness that filled their conversations; there was this insecurity in every step they took and Anna’s sarcasm gave away her emotions so well.
Then, there was the realization that something was growing and Anna started to fear that all the happiness that was starting to fill her heart will leave her empty at the end of the summer; she started to fear that all the happy moments they shared will haunt her lonely nights and rainy days when autumn comes; she feared that all the things they did and all the places they went will break her heart remembering that one summer she had it all, because summer love is like borrowed happiness, as it stays with you just for one beautiful summer.
… So tell me Anna, would you rather love and lose or not love at all?
But hey, this is not a sad story; this is a happy one, full of love and hope and dreams. It will take you to a place of fluttering feelings and dorky smiles and happy sighs and it will give you the only thing you can reach for when you pick up a romantic book to read: joy!
Even though Anna is the one telling her story, we also find a bit about her best friends and their love story.
It was nice because we got to see unfold another kind of love: one between two best friends.. They were also confused, trying to adjust to the new status, not knowing how to act, fearing not to break their friendship with the new born romance. They made me smile because I realized that we sometimes forget that when we already have someone, we don't need to impress that person any longer - we have the love, we don't need to win it just to keep it.
So, yes.. This is one of the cutest stories with the cutest characters (I know, I said the same thing about all my beloved characters from romantic comedies, but I love them all the same) and if you won't enjoy it at least a tiny bit, then you have a very cold heart my friend (but I can hardly imagine anyone not loving being in love or loving for the first time)
PS: If after reading the book you will fell this urge to go buy a lot if ice-cream, don't worry, you are not the only one; only pray to be the only one reading this book the day you do or you won’t find ice-cream anywhere :p
Happy midnight reading!
** This review can also be found at ReadingAfterMidnight.com
____________________________________________
Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO)
____________________________________________
It was like a spell taking me back in time, remembering how it felt to be in love for the very first time. But more than that it reminded me of the last time I fell in love, and it was both scary and exciting to see my memories brought somehow back to life.
You see, I believe in love at first sight.. Off course it takes a lot more than that to get to the point of actually being in love, but that journey is the one that counts, that makes your heart flutter, that makes you giggle like a kid on Christmas Eve.
It’s getting embracing – having this huge smile on my face while reading these cute stories in public, with all those people looking at me like I‘m the crazy one, and not them for not returning my huge
So this being said, I loved to read about Anna and her summer love.
Through most of the story I had this big grin on my face, laughing and giggling like a schoolgirl, enjoying Anna’s insecurities and wittiness and loving every word, every scene, every moment.
It's not like the rest of the story wasn't as good, it's just that some parts were funnier and I’ve always loved the idea and the feeling of falling in love. I simply can't compare it with anything else.
“A perfect person is easy to love. But when somebody likes all your imperfections, well, that's when you know they really mean it.”
The book has 3 stages: falling in love, being in love, and fearing the moment when you might need to fall out of love.It differs from person to person, but for me it felt as realistic as it can get.
On the ‘falling in love stage’, there was this dizziness and happiness while Anna tried to decide if the boy she liked was returning her feelings.
There were awkward silences between them and they managed to say all the wrong things to each other; there was a lot of both shyness and boldness that filled their conversations; there was this insecurity in every step they took and Anna’s sarcasm gave away her emotions so well.
Then, there was the realization that something was growing and Anna started to fear that all the happiness that was starting to fill her heart will leave her empty at the end of the summer; she started to fear that all the happy moments they shared will haunt her lonely nights and rainy days when autumn comes; she feared that all the things they did and all the places they went will break her heart remembering that one summer she had it all, because summer love is like borrowed happiness, as it stays with you just for one beautiful summer.
… So tell me Anna, would you rather love and lose or not love at all?
“I loved being so consumed by Will. Adored it. But I kind of hated it too, because I felt like a huge part of myself had been wrested from my control. I mean, sometimes you just want to make a peanut butter sandwich without being overcome by your own passion, you know?”
But hey, this is not a sad story; this is a happy one, full of love and hope and dreams. It will take you to a place of fluttering feelings and dorky smiles and happy sighs and it will give you the only thing you can reach for when you pick up a romantic book to read: joy!
Even though Anna is the one telling her story, we also find a bit about her best friends and their love story.
It was nice because we got to see unfold another kind of love: one between two best friends.. They were also confused, trying to adjust to the new status, not knowing how to act, fearing not to break their friendship with the new born romance. They made me smile because I realized that we sometimes forget that when we already have someone, we don't need to impress that person any longer - we have the love, we don't need to win it just to keep it.
So, yes.. This is one of the cutest stories with the cutest characters (I know, I said the same thing about all my beloved characters from romantic comedies, but I love them all the same) and if you won't enjoy it at least a tiny bit, then you have a very cold heart my friend (but I can hardly imagine anyone not loving being in love or loving for the first time)
PS: If after reading the book you will fell this urge to go buy a lot if ice-cream, don't worry, you are not the only one; only pray to be the only one reading this book the day you do or you won’t find ice-cream anywhere :p
Happy midnight reading!
** This review can also be found at ReadingAfterMidnight.com
____________________________________________
Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO)
____________________________________________
July 17, 2023
- I wanted a bit of fluff to soften my life up a little and I got too much of it;
- Too much optimism makes me want to puke;
- Will felt extremely fake. He lacked personality.
- BORING;
- The ending felt unfinished.
- Too much optimism makes me want to puke;
- Will felt extremely fake. He lacked personality.
- BORING;
- The ending felt unfinished.
April 19, 2011
Rating 4.5 stars
Wow! What an awesome debut. This book if full of things I love - ice cream, sweet yet delicious kisses, hot summer days, ice cream, the beach and did I mention ice cream!
Sixteenth Summer is a feel good read from start to finish. The kind of book you devour in a couple of hours and grin the whole way through. The writing is a style that makes for an effortless read. Dalton also had great eye for detail when it came to describing the beautiful beach side setting and obviously the delicious ice cream since I keep mentioning it. Seriously there is a lot of ice cream in this book! It also has great characterization. Anna is the type of character who reminds you how wonderful it was to be sixteen. And Will he is just gorgeous and so sweet.
The romance is how you imagine the perfect summer love. Seriously I don't think first love gets any sweeter than this book. It is the kind of love most girls dream of. It might be a little unrealistic but it didn't stop me from going awwwwww the whole way through.
Overall, Sixteenth Summer is the perfect summer read. So for those of you in the northern hemisphere this is a must have for your beach bag this summer. And for us over here in the southern hemisphere this is a must have to make you feel all warm and fuzzy this winter.
Thank you to S&S for providing me with a copy for review
Wow! What an awesome debut. This book if full of things I love - ice cream, sweet yet delicious kisses, hot summer days, ice cream, the beach and did I mention ice cream!
Sixteenth Summer is a feel good read from start to finish. The kind of book you devour in a couple of hours and grin the whole way through. The writing is a style that makes for an effortless read. Dalton also had great eye for detail when it came to describing the beautiful beach side setting and obviously the delicious ice cream since I keep mentioning it. Seriously there is a lot of ice cream in this book! It also has great characterization. Anna is the type of character who reminds you how wonderful it was to be sixteen. And Will he is just gorgeous and so sweet.
The romance is how you imagine the perfect summer love. Seriously I don't think first love gets any sweeter than this book. It is the kind of love most girls dream of. It might be a little unrealistic but it didn't stop me from going awwwwww the whole way through.
Overall, Sixteenth Summer is the perfect summer read. So for those of you in the northern hemisphere this is a must have for your beach bag this summer. And for us over here in the southern hemisphere this is a must have to make you feel all warm and fuzzy this winter.
Thank you to S&S for providing me with a copy for review
May 18, 2011
Are you surprised by the three-star rating? Are you that amazed that I actually enjoyed a summer romance book? Well, I kind of surprised myself.
I am not a sappy-sap type. Saccharine romances annoy me to no end. And trust me, this book had some gag-me-with-a-spoon moments. And it was certainly frilly. Nothing too deep or controversial. No excessive cussing, no sex, just kissing and hurt feelings. It should have been quite boring actually, added on to the fact that there were no surprises in this book. It was simple and predictable.
So what made me enjoy this book? The atmosphere, mostly. Dalton did an excellent job in creating the feel of a small beach town. The town was close-knit, with everyone knowing everyone else's business. Anna had an expected feeling of claustrophobia in her desire to leave her town and build a new life for herself in a bustling city like New York. Yet, she never was bitter about it. She understood that despite small annoyances and gripes, her town was her family. She loved her life, and she made the reader love it too. Anna appreciated the quirkiness of her town and knew it was special. I loved the setting, from the sticky counters of the icecream shop to the feeling of cool sand on a summer night. Dalton truly invoked the experience of summer.
Also, I did not mind the characters. While they were not particularly memorable, they acted like teenagers. When realistic fiction books portray teenagers, they usually go for the edgier stuff like drinking and sex. Dalton portrays the opposing side, the side that is still awkward and childlike in so many ways. Not all teenagers are jaded and miserable, and Dalton's characters are refreshingly sweet. Anna and Will are cute, to say the least. Their first date was so painfully realistic from every misplaced phrase and awkward silence. Most dates in generally are not suave and sexy, they take a whole lotta work and a whole lotta fretting (at least from my experience). Anna was in puppy love, and understandably so. Will was an attractive, nice guy. The perfect first boyfriend. And their relationship was a healthy one, and even though it seemed doomed, I thought the ending captured the feeling of summer perfectly. Kind of like icecream, it's delicious, but can't last forever. That what makes it so special and bittersweet.
Overall, a cute summer-y read that has me wishing I was out on a beach somewhere. God, I miss summer.
I am not a sappy-sap type. Saccharine romances annoy me to no end. And trust me, this book had some gag-me-with-a-spoon moments. And it was certainly frilly. Nothing too deep or controversial. No excessive cussing, no sex, just kissing and hurt feelings. It should have been quite boring actually, added on to the fact that there were no surprises in this book. It was simple and predictable.
So what made me enjoy this book? The atmosphere, mostly. Dalton did an excellent job in creating the feel of a small beach town. The town was close-knit, with everyone knowing everyone else's business. Anna had an expected feeling of claustrophobia in her desire to leave her town and build a new life for herself in a bustling city like New York. Yet, she never was bitter about it. She understood that despite small annoyances and gripes, her town was her family. She loved her life, and she made the reader love it too. Anna appreciated the quirkiness of her town and knew it was special. I loved the setting, from the sticky counters of the icecream shop to the feeling of cool sand on a summer night. Dalton truly invoked the experience of summer.
Also, I did not mind the characters. While they were not particularly memorable, they acted like teenagers. When realistic fiction books portray teenagers, they usually go for the edgier stuff like drinking and sex. Dalton portrays the opposing side, the side that is still awkward and childlike in so many ways. Not all teenagers are jaded and miserable, and Dalton's characters are refreshingly sweet. Anna and Will are cute, to say the least. Their first date was so painfully realistic from every misplaced phrase and awkward silence. Most dates in generally are not suave and sexy, they take a whole lotta work and a whole lotta fretting (at least from my experience). Anna was in puppy love, and understandably so. Will was an attractive, nice guy. The perfect first boyfriend. And their relationship was a healthy one, and even though it seemed doomed, I thought the ending captured the feeling of summer perfectly. Kind of like icecream, it's delicious, but can't last forever. That what makes it so special and bittersweet.
Overall, a cute summer-y read that has me wishing I was out on a beach somewhere. God, I miss summer.
April 20, 2011
Sixteenth Summer was such a sweet and cute book filled with the stuff that teenage dreams are made of. First kisses, holding hands, spinning on the beach. Young, scared, alive and all those those magical emotions and moments. This is a story about the joys and tears of first love and how it will always linger in your heart forever.
I really enjoyed Anna's voice. She's such a worrying little thing, always second guessing what she says and does. She feels too much and it scares her to absolute death. Love is a pretty powerful emotion and first love, well, it stays with you for life. I remember that feeling well, so I saw a lot of myself in Anna's character. Will is just adorable. He tries to play cool and collected but failed miserably and I think I loved him more for it.
Anna and Will are just one of those crazy summer somethings that meet and fall fast and before you know it are in love, and while they know it wont last still go through the motions of being together in the moment.
I just wanted to hug this book, it really did just sweep me off my feet and made me smile a goofy smile ear to ear.
I'm surprised I liked the ending as much as I did though. It was left lingering without those empty promises of whats to come. Usually an ending like this would upset me since I'm the kind of reader who has to know how it all ends. But I think that's the beauty of this book. Even though summer is over and Will had to go back home, they still get to keep their memories and that feeling of that summer for the rest of there life. I dunno, I guess it makes it feel somehow more realistic and bittersweet.
The possibilities of maybe.
All in all, this book is a beautiful story about the tenderness of being young and being happy.
It's fast and light and a fun feel good read perfect for basking out in the sun on a warm summers day while enjoying an ice cream cone;)
(Arc provided by S&S Galley Grab)
I really enjoyed Anna's voice. She's such a worrying little thing, always second guessing what she says and does. She feels too much and it scares her to absolute death. Love is a pretty powerful emotion and first love, well, it stays with you for life. I remember that feeling well, so I saw a lot of myself in Anna's character. Will is just adorable. He tries to play cool and collected but failed miserably and I think I loved him more for it.
Anna and Will are just one of those crazy summer somethings that meet and fall fast and before you know it are in love, and while they know it wont last still go through the motions of being together in the moment.
I just wanted to hug this book, it really did just sweep me off my feet and made me smile a goofy smile ear to ear.
I'm surprised I liked the ending as much as I did though. It was left lingering without those empty promises of whats to come. Usually an ending like this would upset me since I'm the kind of reader who has to know how it all ends. But I think that's the beauty of this book. Even though summer is over and Will had to go back home, they still get to keep their memories and that feeling of that summer for the rest of there life. I dunno, I guess it makes it feel somehow more realistic and bittersweet.
The possibilities of maybe.
All in all, this book is a beautiful story about the tenderness of being young and being happy.
It's fast and light and a fun feel good read perfect for basking out in the sun on a warm summers day while enjoying an ice cream cone;)
(Arc provided by S&S Galley Grab)
August 14, 2016
Thought this was a cute book!!
December 14, 2014
“I love you,” he said. He almost yelled it. “And I know that sounds crazy. That’s what you say at the beginning of something, not when it’s almost reached its end. But – I don’t care. I just want to be with you. Maybe it’ll only be for these next few weeks. Maybe it’ll be forever. We can’t know what’ll happen, Anna. All I know is I love you and…we should be together. We just have to be together. We need to be together.”
Anna lives in a small town called Dune Island and every year she has to watch the tourist enjoy her town more than she does. Growing up on the Island doesn’t have the same effect to her as it does the tourist because she sees all the attractions every summer. However when Will – a boy from New York who’s on vacation with his family for the summer visits the Island, she’s finally able to enjoy Dune Island by experiencing everything with Will and falling in love for the first time. But Anna knows her and Will’s time is passing by every second. So how can she enjoy her summer when she knows the one person she’s came to love will be leaving soon?
Sixteenth Summer has been sitting on my shelf for well over a year, I did want to read it sooner that I did, but I guess time just got away with me again. I’m so glad I finally read it because I really did enjoy it even though it’s such a bittersweet read.
It’s a story centred on first love – a summer love. One that even before you start reading you know that the characters don’t get a happy ever after together – even though they do get a happy ending as best as they could (if that makes sense) but don’t let that put you off reading this story. It’s full of enjoyable and sweet times, laugh out loud moments and interesting characters. It’s full of kissing, ghost crabs, bike rides and yeah and more kissing.
Both Will and Anna were such likable characters. Will was so such an upbeat guy that always let’s himself live in the now, were as Anna is always looking into the future. I could sympathize with Anna a lot during her struggles with Will leaving. I think I would have felt the same – upset because you know it’s all going to come to an end and knowing that you don’t ever want it to end. Her reactions and emotions were believable and very real.
Now, the end of the story is very bittersweet – it’s kind of left open so the reader can choose their own ending for the characters. I’m going to remaining hopeful about it ending – that their love last forever and they somehow made it work.
Anna lives in a small town called Dune Island and every year she has to watch the tourist enjoy her town more than she does. Growing up on the Island doesn’t have the same effect to her as it does the tourist because she sees all the attractions every summer. However when Will – a boy from New York who’s on vacation with his family for the summer visits the Island, she’s finally able to enjoy Dune Island by experiencing everything with Will and falling in love for the first time. But Anna knows her and Will’s time is passing by every second. So how can she enjoy her summer when she knows the one person she’s came to love will be leaving soon?
Sixteenth Summer has been sitting on my shelf for well over a year, I did want to read it sooner that I did, but I guess time just got away with me again. I’m so glad I finally read it because I really did enjoy it even though it’s such a bittersweet read.
It’s a story centred on first love – a summer love. One that even before you start reading you know that the characters don’t get a happy ever after together – even though they do get a happy ending as best as they could (if that makes sense) but don’t let that put you off reading this story. It’s full of enjoyable and sweet times, laugh out loud moments and interesting characters. It’s full of kissing, ghost crabs, bike rides and yeah and more kissing.
Both Will and Anna were such likable characters. Will was so such an upbeat guy that always let’s himself live in the now, were as Anna is always looking into the future. I could sympathize with Anna a lot during her struggles with Will leaving. I think I would have felt the same – upset because you know it’s all going to come to an end and knowing that you don’t ever want it to end. Her reactions and emotions were believable and very real.
Now, the end of the story is very bittersweet – it’s kind of left open so the reader can choose their own ending for the characters. I’m going to remaining hopeful about it ending – that their love last forever and they somehow made it work.
April 8, 2015
actual rating 3.25 I'm glad i gave this a second chance the second time around i started enjoying it more even though there could have been more depth to the romance and Anna could have been less annoying my favorite part was the summery light fun setting i love that summery beachy small town feel and it was really refreshing
August 14, 2011
Which girl does not remember her first love?
And I not talking about that time in kindergarden when the boy you liked gave you a stick with a caterpillar on it (true story!) and you officially became a couple.
I am talking about that exact moment when you are sixteen or seventeen,
struggling between being the child you still are and the adult you are supposed to become. Between the person that your parents expect you to be and the fact that you yourself do not know what to do with your life. And then in this mess of emotions, struggling and desperation you meet this one person that helps you find your way and makes your heart sing.
Sixteenth Summer is a book that touched me really deeply, may be because of the fact that went through this. Anne was Me. I was Anne. Still am probably. I know what it is to be sixteen, with a family that is totally embaracing and a million problems that look so important and big in your head, but were really nothing. I know the constant want to run away and to be free. And I know what it is like to meet that one guy that makes you want to stay. Sixteenth Summer reminded me of all those secret smiles, silly sighs and the I-am-million-miles-away looks.
Michelle Dalton impressed me with her writing style and how she managed to capture the mixed emotions with which the first true love comes along. I loved the ending. It was not the typical happily ever after, but it was the right way to end the book, at least for me.
And I not talking about that time in kindergarden when the boy you liked gave you a stick with a caterpillar on it (true story!) and you officially became a couple.
I am talking about that exact moment when you are sixteen or seventeen,
struggling between being the child you still are and the adult you are supposed to become. Between the person that your parents expect you to be and the fact that you yourself do not know what to do with your life. And then in this mess of emotions, struggling and desperation you meet this one person that helps you find your way and makes your heart sing.
Sixteenth Summer is a book that touched me really deeply, may be because of the fact that went through this. Anne was Me. I was Anne. Still am probably. I know what it is to be sixteen, with a family that is totally embaracing and a million problems that look so important and big in your head, but were really nothing. I know the constant want to run away and to be free. And I know what it is like to meet that one guy that makes you want to stay. Sixteenth Summer reminded me of all those secret smiles, silly sighs and the I-am-million-miles-away looks.
Michelle Dalton impressed me with her writing style and how she managed to capture the mixed emotions with which the first true love comes along. I loved the ending. It was not the typical happily ever after, but it was the right way to end the book, at least for me.
June 7, 2011
A beautiful, beautiful book! Michelle Dalton’s style and words create such a warm, sweet, safe world. I could have wrapped myself in her words and stayed there forever. Warning though---be sure you have a supply of ice cream on hand while reading this book! The ice cream descriptions alone will make you want to pick up pint after pint of new flavors to try all summer long. I look forward to hearing more from Michelle Dalton.
May 19, 2013
Do you believe in love at first sight? Well, this is what Anna experiences during her sixteenth summer.
Anna is just an ordinary 16 year old girl living on Dune Island. Every summer she knows to expect the wave of tourists (or as she likes to call them, “shoobees”) that come to enjoy the beautiful scenery of her hometown. Anna has always thought of shoobees as annoying, stuck-up, arrogant people that take over her island once school is out, but there is nothing she can do about them. Just as Anna prepares for a summer of scooping ice cream at her parents’ shop, she lays eyes on Will at the annual “end of the year bonfire”. As soon as she sees him, she instantly falls in love, but what she doesn’t know is that he is a tourist visiting from New York. Once the two meet, Anna learns that Will is from out of town, but that doesn’t stop them from developing a flourishing summer romance. Anna and Will proceed to spend nearly every day together, and Anna has never been happier, but as the summer elapses, so does her time with Will. Anna knows that Will must leave at the end of August, but how can she possibly say goodbye?
I thoroughly enjoyed this romantic (and at some points, dramatic) book by Michelle Dalton. Every time I sat down to read it, I was excited to find out what would happen next! The author definitely kept me compelled throughout the whole book, and this may be due to the way she wrote it. She wrote in such a way that captivated my attention, and left me wanting more. Dalton has managed to make me develop an obsession for summer romance novels, and I will certainly look to read more books by her!
I would highly recommend this book to teenage girls who are looking for a good romance novel to read.
Anna is just an ordinary 16 year old girl living on Dune Island. Every summer she knows to expect the wave of tourists (or as she likes to call them, “shoobees”) that come to enjoy the beautiful scenery of her hometown. Anna has always thought of shoobees as annoying, stuck-up, arrogant people that take over her island once school is out, but there is nothing she can do about them. Just as Anna prepares for a summer of scooping ice cream at her parents’ shop, she lays eyes on Will at the annual “end of the year bonfire”. As soon as she sees him, she instantly falls in love, but what she doesn’t know is that he is a tourist visiting from New York. Once the two meet, Anna learns that Will is from out of town, but that doesn’t stop them from developing a flourishing summer romance. Anna and Will proceed to spend nearly every day together, and Anna has never been happier, but as the summer elapses, so does her time with Will. Anna knows that Will must leave at the end of August, but how can she possibly say goodbye?
I thoroughly enjoyed this romantic (and at some points, dramatic) book by Michelle Dalton. Every time I sat down to read it, I was excited to find out what would happen next! The author definitely kept me compelled throughout the whole book, and this may be due to the way she wrote it. She wrote in such a way that captivated my attention, and left me wanting more. Dalton has managed to make me develop an obsession for summer romance novels, and I will certainly look to read more books by her!
I would highly recommend this book to teenage girls who are looking for a good romance novel to read.
May 14, 2011
3.5 stars
Sixteenth Summer is the perfect beach read. This book is strong on imagery, and the vivid descriptions will have you fancying to stick your toes in the sand and feel the surf on your legs and bask in the sun on your face. And did I mention ice cream? You'll be wanting ice cream with that perfect-summer-afternoon-at-the-beach vision, too.
The first love is swoony, the writing flows nicely, and the setting and descriptions are delicious. If you're looking for a light, fluffy, first-love-and-ice-cream kind of read for summer vacation, Sixteenth Summer is perfect.
Sixteenth Summer is the perfect beach read. This book is strong on imagery, and the vivid descriptions will have you fancying to stick your toes in the sand and feel the surf on your legs and bask in the sun on your face. And did I mention ice cream? You'll be wanting ice cream with that perfect-summer-afternoon-at-the-beach vision, too.
The first love is swoony, the writing flows nicely, and the setting and descriptions are delicious. If you're looking for a light, fluffy, first-love-and-ice-cream kind of read for summer vacation, Sixteenth Summer is perfect.
April 1, 2023
c’était trop cute
Read
June 16, 2022Tis the season of books about summer romances and adventures, and every year shelves are flooded with stories about sand, surf, and tan lines. I’m a sucker for books about summer love, letting me experience the joy and wistfulness of it all without the sunburn, and SIXTEENTH SUMMER by Michelle Dalton is the latest addition to my growing collection.
I must confess that as the remaining pages of this book grew smaller and smaller, my nerves skyrocketed. Anna and Will needed to have a happy ending. They had to. But how would Ms. Dalton swing that? It isn’t like Will could stay in Georgia—he had to return home to New York. Right? Well, without giving any spoilers, let me just say that the ending is perfect. Exactly what it needed to be, sweet and authentic, showing the tremendous growth both characters experienced through the journey.
My favorite thing about this book is also the most frustrating—the chapter breaks. This book doesn’t have them! It is divided into months, June, July, and August, with scene breaks within each one but no real easy place to set the book down. Each scene flows beautifully into the next . . . and on the same page! Let me just warn you now that you will want to block a whole day out to read this in one big gulp.
The setting of this book is beautiful. I have a confession: I hate the beach. I adore lakes, and boats, and mountains, and even pools. But itchy sand, stinging salt, blinding sun, heat stroke, and sharks? No thank you. But SIXTEENTH SUMMER made me want to be Anna, living on Dune Island, scooping ice cream, going to her family’s crazy Fourth of July throw downs, and picking blueberries off the bush in my backyard. I wanted to learn how to make a sandcastle and ride a bike in lazy circles near sand dunes. And Ms. Dalton perfectly captures the personalities, culture, and tastes of the South. Born in New Orleans and living in Houston, I adore everything about the South and appreciate when someone can recreate a slice of our life, hold it up to the world, and say “Here, this is what it is like.”
The romance between Anna and Will is sweet, raw, and poignant. Will is swoon-worthy with just the right mix of flaws and endearing qualities, and Anna’s struggle to live in the moment, casting aside worry of the future, was spot on. The family dynamic is wonderful. The parents are fun and three-dimensional, the siblings not content to merely round out the background but illuminating nuances of Anna and Will’s relationship. Anna’s best friends Sam and Caroline provided comedic relief as well as facilitators for Anna’s self-discovery.
SIXTEENTH SUMMER is definitely a must-have beach read . . . of if you are like me, a bubble bath read or even a swinging on your back porch swing read. You’ll be instantly swept up in first love, shrimp po-boys, crazy ice cream flavors, and Southern hospitality. And, like me, you will anxiously await Ms. Dalton’s next book.
SIXTEENTH SUMMER hits shelves May 3rd.
I must confess that as the remaining pages of this book grew smaller and smaller, my nerves skyrocketed. Anna and Will needed to have a happy ending. They had to. But how would Ms. Dalton swing that? It isn’t like Will could stay in Georgia—he had to return home to New York. Right? Well, without giving any spoilers, let me just say that the ending is perfect. Exactly what it needed to be, sweet and authentic, showing the tremendous growth both characters experienced through the journey.
My favorite thing about this book is also the most frustrating—the chapter breaks. This book doesn’t have them! It is divided into months, June, July, and August, with scene breaks within each one but no real easy place to set the book down. Each scene flows beautifully into the next . . . and on the same page! Let me just warn you now that you will want to block a whole day out to read this in one big gulp.
The setting of this book is beautiful. I have a confession: I hate the beach. I adore lakes, and boats, and mountains, and even pools. But itchy sand, stinging salt, blinding sun, heat stroke, and sharks? No thank you. But SIXTEENTH SUMMER made me want to be Anna, living on Dune Island, scooping ice cream, going to her family’s crazy Fourth of July throw downs, and picking blueberries off the bush in my backyard. I wanted to learn how to make a sandcastle and ride a bike in lazy circles near sand dunes. And Ms. Dalton perfectly captures the personalities, culture, and tastes of the South. Born in New Orleans and living in Houston, I adore everything about the South and appreciate when someone can recreate a slice of our life, hold it up to the world, and say “Here, this is what it is like.”
The romance between Anna and Will is sweet, raw, and poignant. Will is swoon-worthy with just the right mix of flaws and endearing qualities, and Anna’s struggle to live in the moment, casting aside worry of the future, was spot on. The family dynamic is wonderful. The parents are fun and three-dimensional, the siblings not content to merely round out the background but illuminating nuances of Anna and Will’s relationship. Anna’s best friends Sam and Caroline provided comedic relief as well as facilitators for Anna’s self-discovery.
SIXTEENTH SUMMER is definitely a must-have beach read . . . of if you are like me, a bubble bath read or even a swinging on your back porch swing read. You’ll be instantly swept up in first love, shrimp po-boys, crazy ice cream flavors, and Southern hospitality. And, like me, you will anxiously await Ms. Dalton’s next book.
SIXTEENTH SUMMER hits shelves May 3rd.
February 22, 2023
I loved this story. It is probably the most genuine and true-to-life summer first love stories. It was simple and fun. Anna, the protagonist, is discovering her own beauty through her first relationship. Dialogue is hilarious and made me laugh out loud. On top of the romance aspect, Anna has a family and those dynamics along with her old friends, Caroline and Sam who are discovering romance themselves. The setting is unique - Georgia beach. The quandary is broached - what if it's only for the summer and not forever?
The story is much like my own story of summer love. There was no bodice ripping or sex or anything I'm embarrassed about years later. It was, like Sixteenth Summer, the summer someone I liked - really, really liked, liked me back. He told me I was beautiful. We had a lot of fun together. And the relationship changed me permanently and for the good. Like Anna and Will.
I loved the book because it reminded me of such a pivotal moment in my life. Like Anna and Will, I wondered what would happen after the summer. Would we still know each other? Would we keep in contact? Would we see each other again? Unlike Anna and Will, I found out the answers to these questions. Turns out, My Will (not his real name) became a good friend after proving to me that I was beautiful and interesting that summer. We were never close friends but I still love him for being where he was and who he was that summer.
We crossed paths every so often for the next 10 years. I went to his wedding reception. I'd run into his mother and keep up on the news. He went to Stanford and joined a prestigious law firm. He had three children then nearing his 40th birthday, had a fourth child at the same time as he was diagnosed with a rare cancer. I found his wife's blog and found her to be completely engaging and articulate. I stalked her blog whenever I could. I went to his funeral and grieved for myself and for his family.
I keep a copy of his obituary in my night stand and I still see what a gift he was to me - not only that one summer but years later when his widow became a very dear friend.
But before the grief and tragedy, there is the summer of sweet, innocent love. And that's what this book reminds me.
Loved it.
The story is much like my own story of summer love. There was no bodice ripping or sex or anything I'm embarrassed about years later. It was, like Sixteenth Summer, the summer someone I liked - really, really liked, liked me back. He told me I was beautiful. We had a lot of fun together. And the relationship changed me permanently and for the good. Like Anna and Will.
I loved the book because it reminded me of such a pivotal moment in my life. Like Anna and Will, I wondered what would happen after the summer. Would we still know each other? Would we keep in contact? Would we see each other again? Unlike Anna and Will, I found out the answers to these questions. Turns out, My Will (not his real name) became a good friend after proving to me that I was beautiful and interesting that summer. We were never close friends but I still love him for being where he was and who he was that summer.
We crossed paths every so often for the next 10 years. I went to his wedding reception. I'd run into his mother and keep up on the news. He went to Stanford and joined a prestigious law firm. He had three children then nearing his 40th birthday, had a fourth child at the same time as he was diagnosed with a rare cancer. I found his wife's blog and found her to be completely engaging and articulate. I stalked her blog whenever I could. I went to his funeral and grieved for myself and for his family.
I keep a copy of his obituary in my night stand and I still see what a gift he was to me - not only that one summer but years later when his widow became a very dear friend.
But before the grief and tragedy, there is the summer of sweet, innocent love. And that's what this book reminds me.
Loved it.
October 24, 2017
This has got to be the sweetest YA novel I’ve ever read. It’s innocent, deep and passionate. I loved it!
July 19, 2018
3.5 stars
March 11, 2022
3.5 stars!
Overall, Sixteenth Summer was a good, beachy book to read, especially if you like YA. Anna and Will’s relationship was cute and seemed natural. There were just two things that I couldn’t over look. One, Anna seemed to cry too much. It kind of got annoying and overly dramatic. The second thing was that there were no chapters and so no good places to pause when life called me away. There were, however, three sections: June, July, and August, but they were about 100 pages each. Not close enough to say, “One more chapter” before bed and far enough apart that I felt like I was always stopping in the middle of a scene.
Overall, Sixteenth Summer was a good, beachy book to read, especially if you like YA. Anna and Will’s relationship was cute and seemed natural. There were just two things that I couldn’t over look. One, Anna seemed to cry too much. It kind of got annoying and overly dramatic. The second thing was that there were no chapters and so no good places to pause when life called me away. There were, however, three sections: June, July, and August, but they were about 100 pages each. Not close enough to say, “One more chapter” before bed and far enough apart that I felt like I was always stopping in the middle of a scene.
June 21, 2011
Three-and-a-half months into 2011, I’d already read nine summers books. (All right, so not nine exactly, seeing as I didn’t finish one, and I’m not sure Stay by Deb Caletti, 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson and The Sky is Everywhere Jandy Nelson count, even if they all take place at least partially during summer.) Out of those, I can safely say the only one I’ve REALLY enjoyed (not counting the ones listed above) only one, and that’d be Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler. So I can’t really say my record with summer-y books has been all that great, but despite that I decided to read Sixteenth Summer when Nic recommended it. And I’m SO GLAD I did!
I can’t say the summary blew me away—it makes the book sort of sound very typical. It’s about sixteen-year-old Anna, who isn’t exactly looking forward to yet another summer in Dune Island, Georgia. Like every other summer of her life, she’ll be selling ice cream in her parent’s ice cream shop, spending long, lazy afternoons on the beach, and hanging out around town with her friends Caroline and Sam. Except this year, Sam and Caroline are going out, acting like the love-obsessed couple they are, leaving Anna feeling like the third-wheel. Enter Will, a New-Yorker visiting for the summer who she has an instant chemistry with, and what seems like a long, tedious three months suddenly transforms into the best three months of her life. But the end of the summer is fast approaching and soon it’ll be time for Will to leave. And Anna, who’s falling harder for Will with every minute they spend, can’t get over this fact.
I was really unsure about this one the first fifty pages or so, until Will and Anna really got it on. And then I zipped through the rest of this adooorable book in no time. Here’re all the reasons why:
1 )THE BEACH. I personally am not a very big fan of beaches—I’ve this horribly sensitive skin that results in TOTAL disaster when mixed with saltwater and the sun’s harsh rays. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t cherish the feeling of it. And living vicariously through Anna’s beach-romping was major F-U-N! Seriously. All those endless days of swimming and sand and the sun…I loveeeed it. Of course, they were made much better by the presence of Anna’s new boyfriend Will…which brings me to:
2) Will! Oh, man, I adoooooored Will. He’s just basically the perfect-o male love interest EVER. He did feel a bit…too perfect, but I still loved him all the same, so I can’t really complain. The cute summer romance was just so frickin’ cuuuute. All ‘em beachy make-out sessions? Hell. Yes.
3) Ice creaammm! I’m not the biggest fan of ice cream (much to the confusion of my sister—but what can I say? I’m a firm salt-over-sugar person. *grins*), but after reading about all the delicious flavors Anna’s parent’s ice cream shop makes, I was definitely drooling for one.
4) The romance between Anna’s best friend Caroline and Sam. Very realistic, and just a fun subplot in general.
So, yeah, this book has a lot going for it in terms of cuteness. I laughed aloud plenty of times and was grinning like I’d gone mental when I reached the end. And since grinning is really good for you, you should probably read this book too. Heh. That’s not to say this book is COMPLETELY frothy and all fun and games—there’s heartbreak and character growth, too. Which only makes it that much better.
I do wish the side characters were more fleshed-out, namely Anna’s siblings. And that Anna and Will had been a bit more serious about their futures together. And since I am a writer, I also have to mention the writing. While I won’t call it bad—it reads pretty easily, I did have issues with the diction. The author sometimes employs words that really made the prose feel awkward and clunky. Some examples:
‘When he’d called that afternoon during my shift at The Scoop, it had felt strange to hear his voice but not to be able to touch his smooth, callused fingertips, or put my cheek against his shoulder.’
How can someone’s fingers be callused and smooth at the same time?
‘So I squashed the insecurity as easily as I would a slow-moving mosquito.’
A comparison between slow mosquitoes and Anna’s insecurity? Hmm…
Despite the problems, I had fun reading it, and it was a very welcome diversion from exams. Totally recommended.
I can’t say the summary blew me away—it makes the book sort of sound very typical. It’s about sixteen-year-old Anna, who isn’t exactly looking forward to yet another summer in Dune Island, Georgia. Like every other summer of her life, she’ll be selling ice cream in her parent’s ice cream shop, spending long, lazy afternoons on the beach, and hanging out around town with her friends Caroline and Sam. Except this year, Sam and Caroline are going out, acting like the love-obsessed couple they are, leaving Anna feeling like the third-wheel. Enter Will, a New-Yorker visiting for the summer who she has an instant chemistry with, and what seems like a long, tedious three months suddenly transforms into the best three months of her life. But the end of the summer is fast approaching and soon it’ll be time for Will to leave. And Anna, who’s falling harder for Will with every minute they spend, can’t get over this fact.
I was really unsure about this one the first fifty pages or so, until Will and Anna really got it on. And then I zipped through the rest of this adooorable book in no time. Here’re all the reasons why:
1 )THE BEACH. I personally am not a very big fan of beaches—I’ve this horribly sensitive skin that results in TOTAL disaster when mixed with saltwater and the sun’s harsh rays. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t cherish the feeling of it. And living vicariously through Anna’s beach-romping was major F-U-N! Seriously. All those endless days of swimming and sand and the sun…I loveeeed it. Of course, they were made much better by the presence of Anna’s new boyfriend Will…which brings me to:
2) Will! Oh, man, I adoooooored Will. He’s just basically the perfect-o male love interest EVER. He did feel a bit…too perfect, but I still loved him all the same, so I can’t really complain. The cute summer romance was just so frickin’ cuuuute. All ‘em beachy make-out sessions? Hell. Yes.
3) Ice creaammm! I’m not the biggest fan of ice cream (much to the confusion of my sister—but what can I say? I’m a firm salt-over-sugar person. *grins*), but after reading about all the delicious flavors Anna’s parent’s ice cream shop makes, I was definitely drooling for one.
4) The romance between Anna’s best friend Caroline and Sam. Very realistic, and just a fun subplot in general.
So, yeah, this book has a lot going for it in terms of cuteness. I laughed aloud plenty of times and was grinning like I’d gone mental when I reached the end. And since grinning is really good for you, you should probably read this book too. Heh. That’s not to say this book is COMPLETELY frothy and all fun and games—there’s heartbreak and character growth, too. Which only makes it that much better.
I do wish the side characters were more fleshed-out, namely Anna’s siblings. And that Anna and Will had been a bit more serious about their futures together. And since I am a writer, I also have to mention the writing. While I won’t call it bad—it reads pretty easily, I did have issues with the diction. The author sometimes employs words that really made the prose feel awkward and clunky. Some examples:
‘When he’d called that afternoon during my shift at The Scoop, it had felt strange to hear his voice but not to be able to touch his smooth, callused fingertips, or put my cheek against his shoulder.’
How can someone’s fingers be callused and smooth at the same time?
‘So I squashed the insecurity as easily as I would a slow-moving mosquito.’
A comparison between slow mosquitoes and Anna’s insecurity? Hmm…
Despite the problems, I had fun reading it, and it was a very welcome diversion from exams. Totally recommended.
July 15, 2011
Oh my, this books was absolutely fantastic! It's one of THE best beach reads I have ever read and it's exactly that, a beach read but fear nothing, this is a GOOD beach read, it's not to big on the kind of drama that make your head explode. It's actually a really light, fluffy read that I think everybody should take pleasure in reading.
It's super sweet, funny and really realistic. Anna's thought from the first page were so real to me and relate-able that often I found my self saying "Oh, I think the same thoughts & do the same thing!" especially with her nervousness at the beginning of the book I literally feel nervous and think the same thoughts as her and pretty sure that applies to any other teenager.
Some might argue that the romance between Will & Anna happened to quickly but I can argue with that and let me tell you, that is saying something since the thing that ruins 99.9% of books for me is how the romance pace is terrible, one moment it's not there and then the next page the characters love each other and I'm just like did I miss a chapter or two? anyways here I thought that even if it did happen a bit too quickly I found that it was necessary and actually believable and realistic. Anna and Will's whole teenage-first-love-it's-summer was perfect and enjoyable to read and one thing I liked is that the author actually wrote about the intimacy between them (it's was all kissing, get your mind out the gutter) sometimes author show the couples so perfect and all they do is do the whole deep conversation I'm a miss understood soul and I am too and it makes me want to gag. Anyways nothing that will make you gag in this book (or so I hope)
I like the secondary characters like Anna's family, friends and Will's brother, they actually had some 3D depth.
The only complain I have is I started reading this book like at three in the morning so towards six in the morning my eyes got so red I had to go to sleep and put it down :( and I had to go to a wedding so while I could have been reading this book I was doing my hair and make up but worry not, god bless kindles because I was reading this in the reception!
Overall, this was such a lovely read I want to go back and buy the hardcover so the the author can win money and also buy the paperback when it comes out, like a million copies. I loved this book this much!
I definitely recommend this to everyone, especially if your looking for something sweet and quick to read, you will NOT be disappointed!
-thank you&come again.
It's super sweet, funny and really realistic. Anna's thought from the first page were so real to me and relate-able that often I found my self saying "Oh, I think the same thoughts & do the same thing!" especially with her nervousness at the beginning of the book I literally feel nervous and think the same thoughts as her and pretty sure that applies to any other teenager.
Some might argue that the romance between Will & Anna happened to quickly but I can argue with that and let me tell you, that is saying something since the thing that ruins 99.9% of books for me is how the romance pace is terrible, one moment it's not there and then the next page the characters love each other and I'm just like did I miss a chapter or two? anyways here I thought that even if it did happen a bit too quickly I found that it was necessary and actually believable and realistic. Anna and Will's whole teenage-first-love-it's-summer was perfect and enjoyable to read and one thing I liked is that the author actually wrote about the intimacy between them (it's was all kissing, get your mind out the gutter) sometimes author show the couples so perfect and all they do is do the whole deep conversation I'm a miss understood soul and I am too and it makes me want to gag. Anyways nothing that will make you gag in this book (or so I hope)
I like the secondary characters like Anna's family, friends and Will's brother, they actually had some 3D depth.
The only complain I have is I started reading this book like at three in the morning so towards six in the morning my eyes got so red I had to go to sleep and put it down :( and I had to go to a wedding so while I could have been reading this book I was doing my hair and make up but worry not, god bless kindles because I was reading this in the reception!
Overall, this was such a lovely read I want to go back and buy the hardcover so the the author can win money and also buy the paperback when it comes out, like a million copies. I loved this book this much!
I definitely recommend this to everyone, especially if your looking for something sweet and quick to read, you will NOT be disappointed!
-thank you&come again.
May 2, 2011
My Thoughts: I was very very excited to read this one! We are introduced to Anna who lives on Dune Island with her family. She spends most of her time with her best friends Sam and Caroline. They have recently became a couple. Anna isn't interested in any of the local boys. How can she be, when she has seen them during their most embarrassing moments as children? She is independent and pretty much brushes any guys advances off.
Than comes along Will. Gorgeous and sweet Will. He isn't a local boy. He is from New York. His brother and mom came to the island for summer vacation. Anna catches his eye on the beach one day and he ends up asking her out a few days later. They start dating, and she starts to fall in love with him. The problem? He's leaving at the end of summer.
I enjoyed the dates they went on, the events they attended. I loved hearing about their time on the beach, seeing turtles, dolphins, etc. I also loved how she worked at her families ice cream shop so we got to experience ice cream flavors (made me hungry and craving ice cream during the book). I also enjoyed meeting Will's family and I adored his mom and his brother.
I really liked Will. I liked the way they were together, however I felt like I needed more depth. More depth to their relationship. I just felt like it was missing something. Yes, their was romance and sticky sweet moments but I knew deep down their relationship couldn't last past the summer and that made me sad.
I enjoyed reading Sixteenth Summer but it wasn't everything I wanted it to be. I would have liked to learn more about Will's life in New York. Who were his friends there, what did he do, did he have a lot of ex-girlfriends, etc? I felt like I knew lots about Anna but nothing about Will.
Overall: I liked Sixteenth Summer but I expected a little more out of it. I'd recommend reading this when your in the mood for sweet romance but not a lot of deep thinking.
Cover: Love the cover! Its pretty. The colors go together and I love the sand on the bottom of her feet. Definitely a summer book.
What I'd Give It: 4/5 Cupcakes
_____________________________________
Review Based On Softcover Edition
Taken From Princess Bookie (blog)
www.princessbookie.com
Than comes along Will. Gorgeous and sweet Will. He isn't a local boy. He is from New York. His brother and mom came to the island for summer vacation. Anna catches his eye on the beach one day and he ends up asking her out a few days later. They start dating, and she starts to fall in love with him. The problem? He's leaving at the end of summer.
I enjoyed the dates they went on, the events they attended. I loved hearing about their time on the beach, seeing turtles, dolphins, etc. I also loved how she worked at her families ice cream shop so we got to experience ice cream flavors (made me hungry and craving ice cream during the book). I also enjoyed meeting Will's family and I adored his mom and his brother.
I really liked Will. I liked the way they were together, however I felt like I needed more depth. More depth to their relationship. I just felt like it was missing something. Yes, their was romance and sticky sweet moments but I knew deep down their relationship couldn't last past the summer and that made me sad.
I enjoyed reading Sixteenth Summer but it wasn't everything I wanted it to be. I would have liked to learn more about Will's life in New York. Who were his friends there, what did he do, did he have a lot of ex-girlfriends, etc? I felt like I knew lots about Anna but nothing about Will.
Overall: I liked Sixteenth Summer but I expected a little more out of it. I'd recommend reading this when your in the mood for sweet romance but not a lot of deep thinking.
Cover: Love the cover! Its pretty. The colors go together and I love the sand on the bottom of her feet. Definitely a summer book.
What I'd Give It: 4/5 Cupcakes
_____________________________________
Review Based On Softcover Edition
Taken From Princess Bookie (blog)
www.princessbookie.com
May 9, 2011
This book was a light, lovely summer love story. This book has a common plot. Yet I love them all, even with the same love stories that is all sweet at first, then they get mad and break up and then make up and have a happy ending. There all the same, but different.
Anna lives on Dune Island with her family; she works at her family’s popular ice cream parlor as much as she can, when she’s not working she’s spends the rest of her time with her friends, Sam and Caroline. Up until recently they were the three musketeers, nothing could get them apart, they were together 24/7. Then out of nowhere her two best friends become a couple and she all of the sudden feels like the third wheel.
Anna isn’t interested in any of the local boys that inhabit Dune Island; she has known them all from kindergarten, she doesn’t think that she should be tied down to any boy anyways; she’ll be done with school soon anyway.
Then she meets Will, Swoon worthy Will. Anna has never seen him before, he isn’t a local, and he’s from New York. She sees him around a couple of times before she asked him out, they start dating and soon they are both head over heels in love with each other. There’s just one problem, Will leaves at the end of the summer. Anna can’t take the heart ache of knowing he’s going to be gone at the end of summer. Things change and things may not work out between the two.
I loved the connection between Will and Anna but felt like it lacked Will’s side of the story, I would have loved it more if it has point of view from both Anna and Will. That way we could have gotten to know Will just a little bit more.
Sixteenth summer is a sweet lovey dovey romance that will have you wishing you could have something that special between someone ( if you don’t already), this was a great and fast read and I recommend taking this book with you this summer vacation!
Anna lives on Dune Island with her family; she works at her family’s popular ice cream parlor as much as she can, when she’s not working she’s spends the rest of her time with her friends, Sam and Caroline. Up until recently they were the three musketeers, nothing could get them apart, they were together 24/7. Then out of nowhere her two best friends become a couple and she all of the sudden feels like the third wheel.
Anna isn’t interested in any of the local boys that inhabit Dune Island; she has known them all from kindergarten, she doesn’t think that she should be tied down to any boy anyways; she’ll be done with school soon anyway.
Then she meets Will, Swoon worthy Will. Anna has never seen him before, he isn’t a local, and he’s from New York. She sees him around a couple of times before she asked him out, they start dating and soon they are both head over heels in love with each other. There’s just one problem, Will leaves at the end of the summer. Anna can’t take the heart ache of knowing he’s going to be gone at the end of summer. Things change and things may not work out between the two.
I loved the connection between Will and Anna but felt like it lacked Will’s side of the story, I would have loved it more if it has point of view from both Anna and Will. That way we could have gotten to know Will just a little bit more.
Sixteenth summer is a sweet lovey dovey romance that will have you wishing you could have something that special between someone ( if you don’t already), this was a great and fast read and I recommend taking this book with you this summer vacation!
April 14, 2011
Anna Patrick is not looking forward to summer this year. Her two best friends, Caroline and Sam are now a couple and she feels like a third wheel. Though plenty of the other boys on the island have shown an interest in Anna, she isn’t interested in them. She wants to get away and longs for some time away from the tourists on Dune Island. Every summer it’s the same: the beach, hang out with friends, then go to work at her parents ice-cream shop. Not to mention having to deal with all of the “shoobees” (she and her friends nickname for the tourists – they wear shoes on the beach – the horror!)
Her attitude quickly changes when she locks eyes with Will Cooper at the start of summer bonfire. Will is from New York and is spending the summer on the small coastal island with his mother and older brother. Soon, Anna & Will are spending plenty of time together, and before she knows it, Anna finds herself head over heels for this boy from New York. Will is her first boyfriend, and she has never felt like this before. Soon Anna has to face the inevitable: At the end of the summer, Will has to leave. Can she possibly risk having her heart broken? Would it be better to have a few weeks of love and bliss only to have to let it go, or should she break it off before she gets her heart broken?
The author has written a very believable book about first love. As the reader goes on Anna’s journey with her, they feel every emotion she is feeling. You feel the excitement of her first kiss, the giddiness at spending time with Will and the sadness as the summer approaches it’s inevitable end. This is definitely a book every romantic should take with them to the beach this summer.
Her attitude quickly changes when she locks eyes with Will Cooper at the start of summer bonfire. Will is from New York and is spending the summer on the small coastal island with his mother and older brother. Soon, Anna & Will are spending plenty of time together, and before she knows it, Anna finds herself head over heels for this boy from New York. Will is her first boyfriend, and she has never felt like this before. Soon Anna has to face the inevitable: At the end of the summer, Will has to leave. Can she possibly risk having her heart broken? Would it be better to have a few weeks of love and bliss only to have to let it go, or should she break it off before she gets her heart broken?
The author has written a very believable book about first love. As the reader goes on Anna’s journey with her, they feel every emotion she is feeling. You feel the excitement of her first kiss, the giddiness at spending time with Will and the sadness as the summer approaches it’s inevitable end. This is definitely a book every romantic should take with them to the beach this summer.
August 26, 2012
This book was just what I needed: a light, cute, surprisingly introspective and summery read to tide me through this last weekend of academic frenzy. Oh, how sweet the sound of first love can be.
Anna is a Dune Island beach-town girl and an extremely relatable, likable protagonist. On the start of her sixteenth summer, she wishes there was something different about this summer. Up pops Will, a New Yorker 'shoobee' and all-round charming, awkward, handsome, and owner of some damned fine T-shirts. But Will is bound to leave Dune Island once summer comes to a close... so is maintaining their relationship worth it? Even though Anna suffers over her decision, she's still strong and capable enough to understand that no matter what happens she can handle it.
It's an incredibly feel-good read, not too taxing yet well-written and brimming with cute scenes, great romances, and funny characters. I finished it with the dorkiest smile on my face! How nice is it to reminisce about the days of being sixteen and experiencing a major/serious crush for the first time?
Anna is a Dune Island beach-town girl and an extremely relatable, likable protagonist. On the start of her sixteenth summer, she wishes there was something different about this summer. Up pops Will, a New Yorker 'shoobee' and all-round charming, awkward, handsome, and owner of some damned fine T-shirts. But Will is bound to leave Dune Island once summer comes to a close... so is maintaining their relationship worth it? Even though Anna suffers over her decision, she's still strong and capable enough to understand that no matter what happens she can handle it.
"I loved being so consumed by Will. Adored it. But I kind of hated it too, because I felt like a huge part of myself had been wrested from my control. I mean, sometimes you just want to make a peanut butter sandwich without being overcome by your own passion, you know?"
It's an incredibly feel-good read, not too taxing yet well-written and brimming with cute scenes, great romances, and funny characters. I finished it with the dorkiest smile on my face! How nice is it to reminisce about the days of being sixteen and experiencing a major/serious crush for the first time?
May 9, 2011
As I have said before I am a totally romance junkie. Nothing can make my heart melt more then reading about two people falling in love. This story is very simple. Two people falling in love over summer and dreading the ending of summer in which one must leave back home.
From the very beginning of this book I smiled, a lot! I love watching both Will and Anna meet and be all nervous. I love reading their feelings and seeing them go on first dates. It made me want to fall in love over and over again. Anna and Will have a great summer with passionate love that you never want to end. It will always be something that they will remember the rest of their life.
The thing about summer love is the ending. I knew it was coming because nothing broke these two up. The fear crawled into Anna like a disease and she started to pull away. I understood her fear. I felt the fear for her. I was glad that she was able to see past that and spend as much time as she can with Will. I loved the way the book end. It was a bittersweet ending that had so much love in it, it was overflowing the pages. The love was strong and never ending.
From the very beginning of this book I smiled, a lot! I love watching both Will and Anna meet and be all nervous. I love reading their feelings and seeing them go on first dates. It made me want to fall in love over and over again. Anna and Will have a great summer with passionate love that you never want to end. It will always be something that they will remember the rest of their life.
The thing about summer love is the ending. I knew it was coming because nothing broke these two up. The fear crawled into Anna like a disease and she started to pull away. I understood her fear. I felt the fear for her. I was glad that she was able to see past that and spend as much time as she can with Will. I loved the way the book end. It was a bittersweet ending that had so much love in it, it was overflowing the pages. The love was strong and never ending.
May 5, 2011
I really liked this!
June 17, 2013
Awww so cute and sweet! But kinda sad... I really liked it overall, and it was the perfect beach read!
August 13, 2017
Great summer read!
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