Title: Someone Else’s Summer
Author: Rachel Bateman
Publication: May 9, 2017
Publisher: Running Press
Genre: YA Fiction
Pages: 320
SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)
Anna’s always idolized her older sister, Storm. So when Storm dies in a tragic car accident on the night of her high school graduation, Anna is completely lost and her family is torn apart. That is, until she finds Storm’s summer bucket list and decides to honor her sister by having the best summer ever—which includes taking an epic road trip to the coast from her sleepy Iowa town. Setting out to do everything on Storm’s list along with her sisters best friend Cameron—the boy next door—who knew that Storm’s dream summer would eventually lead to Anna’s own self-discovery?
REVIEW:
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
A book with the title Someone Else’s Summer is something you automatically know is probably going to be a little bit sad. Rachel Bateman hit that nail on the head, but did it in a way that shows the true struggle of losing someone close to you and how everyone reacts differently.
Someone Else’s Summer follow the story of Anna and her journey as she deals with the sudden tragic loss of her sister, growing emotional feelings for another person, and the reality that nothing is what it seems.
Anna’s emotions in this book are so raw and real. She has real reactions as her mind and surroundings go through the motions of change after her sister Storm dies. Her family is falling apart around her, which is something very common when a family member is lost, and she is trying to cope with that. Being in normal teenage hormones and emotions and you get a roller coaster of ups and downs. Some of my favorite characters in this book were the supporting roles. The aunt reminds me of my aunts. I love the familial bonding you get as Anna and her aunt talk through her issues. Bateman hit all the emotions in this book spot on.
My only issue was some parts seemed to drag out a little and there were moments when I felt the behaviors of Anna and her friends were a little more grown than what I would imagine for individuals her age. While this might be my own naivety at teenagers behaviors, but I felt it was a bit much and not really needed.
However, these minor issues were not enough to bring the rating down too much. Someone Else’s Summer was a great coming of age story that included heartache, pain, growth, and coming of age. A great spring read for anyone of any age.
STAR RATING: 4/5
Someone Else’s Summer by Rachel Bateman will be released on May 9, 2017. You can pre-order now on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Also check your local bookstores on release date. Make sure to add it to your To Reads list on Goodreads and leave feedback for the author when you are done. Rachel Bateman has another, previously released, book. Check it out on her website HERE.
