Someone Else's Summer

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?

Anna finds herself struggling to return to her life after the death of her sister. Her friends are trying to help, but just don't understand and she finds herself pulling away from them. Her neighbor and sister's best friend Cameron is experiencing the same. When she finds a list that her sister wrote entitled "The Perfect Summer" she is sure this is a gift and is determined to fulfill the list for her sister. Cameron agrees to do the list with her. Thankfully she shares her desire with her father, and he agrees to figure out a way to help. What she accomplishes is more than she expected. This is a great coming of age summer read that has likeable characters. Their feelings and struggles are relateable, understandable and it's hard not to hope their success will help.

Rachel has some fun stuff up on SomeoneElsesSummer.com, including a summer bucket list generator.


Thanks to Valerie and Running Press An Imprint of Perseus Books | A Division of Hachette Book Group for this review copy

The Way I Used To Be (audio)

Eden was always good at being good. Starting high school didn’t change who she was. But the night her brother’s best friend rapes her, Eden’s world capsizes.

What was once simple, is now complex. What Eden once loved—who she once loved—she now hates. What she thought she knew to be true, is now lies. Nothing makes sense anymore, and she knows she’s supposed to tell someone what happened but she can’t. So she buries it instead. And she buries the way she used to be.

Eden is a normal freshman 14 year old girl until she is raped by her brother's best friend.  The book opens on the morning after, so you don't go through the trauma with Eden.  She chooses not to tell because she is afraid. She changes drastically while ignoring the pain, anger and fear (which others sorta recognize, but don't pursue with her).  Told in four sections of her high school years, Eden spirals downward until she is confronted with it happening to another girl.  The first and last section were the best and the book does end on a positive note. Eden's story unfortunately happens too often, but is one that needs to be told especially if it gives courage to those that need to speak up. This debut novel was narrated by Rebekkah Ross.

*Thanks to Simon and Schuster for this review copy*