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Those Summer Nights
After recovering from a life-changing injury, a teen girl must navigate a new summer job, an ex-best friend, and two surprisingly attractive coworkers in this romp of a rom-com for fans of Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian.
Hannah used to be all about focus, back before she shattered her ankle and her Olympic dreams in one bad soccer play. These days, she’s all about distraction—anything to keep the painful memories of her recent past at bay, including the string of bad decisions that landed her at boarding school for a year.
Enter Bonanza, the local entertainment multiplex and site of Hanna’s summer employment. With its mini golf course, bowling alley, and arcade—not to mention her hot, flirty coworker Patrick—Bonanza seems like the perfect way to stay distracted. Until her boss announces the annual Bonanza tournament, a staff competition that brings her past Olympic nightmares crashing back into her present.
On top of that, the Bonanza staff includes Brie, the ex-best friend she cut off last year, and Ethan, her brother’s best friend who became unreasonably attractive in her year away and who accepts her, even knowing her worst secrets. Under the neon lights of Bonanza, Hannah must decide whether she can find a way to discover a new self in the midst of her old life.
Hannah used to be all about focus, back before she shattered her ankle and her Olympic dreams in one bad soccer play. These days, she’s all about distraction—anything to keep the painful memories of her recent past at bay, including the string of bad decisions that landed her at boarding school for a year.
Enter Bonanza, the local entertainment multiplex and site of Hanna’s summer employment. With its mini golf course, bowling alley, and arcade—not to mention her hot, flirty coworker Patrick—Bonanza seems like the perfect way to stay distracted. Until her boss announces the annual Bonanza tournament, a staff competition that brings her past Olympic nightmares crashing back into her present.
On top of that, the Bonanza staff includes Brie, the ex-best friend she cut off last year, and Ethan, her brother’s best friend who became unreasonably attractive in her year away and who accepts her, even knowing her worst secrets. Under the neon lights of Bonanza, Hannah must decide whether she can find a way to discover a new self in the midst of her old life.
373 pages, Hardcover
First published August 23, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
May 25, 2023
3.5
this is such a fun book for summer, wasn’t sure how i was going to like it in the beginning cus i thought the mc was whiny but it actually surprised me in being very fun! also really enjoyed the romance!
this is such a fun book for summer, wasn’t sure how i was going to like it in the beginning cus i thought the mc was whiny but it actually surprised me in being very fun! also really enjoyed the romance!
August 18, 2022
I received an ARC from Edelweiss
TW: themes of addiction & recovery, death of a grandparent
3.7
Hannah doesn't really want to work at Bonanza, the entertainment multiplex her brother already works at and where everyone seems entirely too excited about their jobs, but getting a job is on her parents list. If she wants to stay home and not get sent back to the too expensive facility she's been in for months, then she'll do the work and prove to her family that they don't need to worry about her. But coming back also means remembering the person she turned into before leaving, and seeing if she can put those pieces back together. An attractive coworker is a good distraction from the complications of being home- but her growing interest in a different coworker, and family friend, is maybe one thing to deal with too many.
I appreciated the storyline of addiction in this. This character arc is all about putting yourself back together, reconciling who you've been with who you'd like to be, and taking responsibility. And while this alone is fantastic to see, normally with themes such as these you'd need to expect a heavy book overall. However, this is very much a light, summery read of friendship and romance, while allowing the main characters struggles to be more than the normal protagonist and object of affection's tend to be. I thought that elevated this book, and made to feel deeper.
Plus, Hannah herself is a likable and flawed character. I really enjoyed the way the narrative laid bare her flaws, her impulses, the way things went wrong, without a judgemental eye. Without coddling and apologizing for Hannah you still get gentle and understanding treatment of this girl who's imperfect and trying to be better.
I do truly wish that the cast had felt more expansive. Hannah is great, and I loved seeing her family dynamics, but for so much focus on soccer and anxiety about her ex best friend, Brie, there isn't all that much characterization or even effect on the storyline branching from these characters. I wanted more Brie over all, and I wanted to see more from the soccer girls and even Hannah's coworkers beyond thin context. I feel like if these are people that are meant to have had a large impact on her or her story, then we should have been able to get to know them better.
This may also be part of the reason why the romance didn't really work for me. In theory the friends to lover-slash-brother's best friend romance should have been cute, and it has its moments. But there's so little base for this to be built on it just came off weird to me. There isn't really a lot of chemistry and there seems no real reason for Hannah to have this sudden, intense attraction to this guy beyond the fact that she knows him- in a family capacity, honestly- and he's gotten cuter. I don't know if that's solely a personal issue, but it didn't really take time to sell me on them working together well or on Hannah's feelings being more than temporary. I also think this may not have worked for me because this is one of those romances that feels entirely propelled by a desire to fix oneself, and that turns me entirely off, as it is as unhealthy as it is unsustainable.
Finally, while I thought the idea of mixing these heavier topics with a softer story was an interesting one, and one that will be great for many readers, the end result just leaned too saccharine for me. The tone was too fluffy instead of finding an equal balance, and the neatness of the storyline just came across a bit hokey.
This is an interest book, with an important character arc and conversation swaddled in something of a beach read.
TW: themes of addiction & recovery, death of a grandparent
3.7
Hannah doesn't really want to work at Bonanza, the entertainment multiplex her brother already works at and where everyone seems entirely too excited about their jobs, but getting a job is on her parents list. If she wants to stay home and not get sent back to the too expensive facility she's been in for months, then she'll do the work and prove to her family that they don't need to worry about her. But coming back also means remembering the person she turned into before leaving, and seeing if she can put those pieces back together. An attractive coworker is a good distraction from the complications of being home- but her growing interest in a different coworker, and family friend, is maybe one thing to deal with too many.
I appreciated the storyline of addiction in this. This character arc is all about putting yourself back together, reconciling who you've been with who you'd like to be, and taking responsibility. And while this alone is fantastic to see, normally with themes such as these you'd need to expect a heavy book overall. However, this is very much a light, summery read of friendship and romance, while allowing the main characters struggles to be more than the normal protagonist and object of affection's tend to be. I thought that elevated this book, and made to feel deeper.
Plus, Hannah herself is a likable and flawed character. I really enjoyed the way the narrative laid bare her flaws, her impulses, the way things went wrong, without a judgemental eye. Without coddling and apologizing for Hannah you still get gentle and understanding treatment of this girl who's imperfect and trying to be better.
I do truly wish that the cast had felt more expansive. Hannah is great, and I loved seeing her family dynamics, but for so much focus on soccer and anxiety about her ex best friend, Brie, there isn't all that much characterization or even effect on the storyline branching from these characters. I wanted more Brie over all, and I wanted to see more from the soccer girls and even Hannah's coworkers beyond thin context. I feel like if these are people that are meant to have had a large impact on her or her story, then we should have been able to get to know them better.
This may also be part of the reason why the romance didn't really work for me. In theory the friends to lover-slash-brother's best friend romance should have been cute, and it has its moments. But there's so little base for this to be built on it just came off weird to me. There isn't really a lot of chemistry and there seems no real reason for Hannah to have this sudden, intense attraction to this guy beyond the fact that she knows him- in a family capacity, honestly- and he's gotten cuter. I don't know if that's solely a personal issue, but it didn't really take time to sell me on them working together well or on Hannah's feelings being more than temporary. I also think this may not have worked for me because this is one of those romances that feels entirely propelled by a desire to fix oneself, and that turns me entirely off, as it is as unhealthy as it is unsustainable.
Finally, while I thought the idea of mixing these heavier topics with a softer story was an interesting one, and one that will be great for many readers, the end result just leaned too saccharine for me. The tone was too fluffy instead of finding an equal balance, and the neatness of the storyline just came across a bit hokey.
This is an interest book, with an important character arc and conversation swaddled in something of a beach read.
September 6, 2022
Thank you Penguin Australia and Netgalley for providing me with this read.
I don't usually read YA books but this one was it. I enjoyed this from start to finish. I love that this book does not focus just on romance but it goes into each character and their lives. It focuses on what they go through and them developing into the new stages of their lives.
Also i don't really reading friends to lover but when i do its great. The romance was so fluffy and cute. This story explores titles such as grief, loss, healing an inner turmoil. Its definitely a book everyone should read. I am truly excited on the next release this author will bring!
I don't usually read YA books but this one was it. I enjoyed this from start to finish. I love that this book does not focus just on romance but it goes into each character and their lives. It focuses on what they go through and them developing into the new stages of their lives.
Also i don't really reading friends to lover but when i do its great. The romance was so fluffy and cute. This story explores titles such as grief, loss, healing an inner turmoil. Its definitely a book everyone should read. I am truly excited on the next release this author will bring!
January 21, 2023
A fun brother's best friend YA summer romance that takes place at an amusement park. I really enjoyed how the female main character was trying to recover/comes to terms after a life changing injury suddenly ended her soccer playing abilities. Aside from the love triangle story line there was also a good second chance best friendship plot which I also liked a lot. Good on audio too.
December 27, 2022
This author wrote a favorite book of mine from 2020, Recommended for You, and this one sounded right up my alley as well. Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to read it until I got a copy to review as part of the library committee I’m on. This is a possible nominee for the 24-25 school year. I really enjoyed it. It had more depth than I expected from the title and what I was thinking. The main character had a lot she was dealing with and a lot to come to terms with to get her life back on track. I liked the Jewish character representation and really all of the different the diverse characters and story lines contained in this book. Another winner for me!
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
August 26, 2023
I just love everything Laura Silverman writes okay. A new favorite <3
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My Blog - Drizzle & Hurricane Books - Twitter - Bookstagram -
July 12, 2022
A big thank you to NetGalley for the arc.
I did enjoy this book, however there was something about it that Irked me. I found it hard to connect with the character’s, and the plot was not my favourite. I also wasn’t a fan of the prose. Definitely not my taste.
5/10
I did enjoy this book, however there was something about it that Irked me. I found it hard to connect with the character’s, and the plot was not my favourite. I also wasn’t a fan of the prose. Definitely not my taste.
5/10
July 7, 2023
This was a all-in-one-sitting kind of read! I finished it so fast! There’s something alluring about Laura Silverman’s writing. You know the characters enough that they feel fully formed, but also there’s an air of mystery as you get to know them more. I really enjoyed this summer YA with Jewish main characters, a fun romance, and healthy relationships- healing friendships, parent- child relationships, brother-sister bond, and great coworkers. What more could you ask for in a quick summer read?
I can’t wait to see what Laura whips up next.
I can’t wait to see what Laura whips up next.
August 29, 2022
Excellent YA Contemporary read, full of fun summer vibes. We follow Hannah as she picks up the pieces of the previous summer when she lashed out at everyone around her after losing both her grandmother and the sport she lived for. She sets out to achieve the four goals outlined by her parents, so that she can complete her senior year of high school at her old school, rather than being sent away again.
At first, Hannah just goes through the motions; she gets a job, she's nice to her family and co-workers, and she plans to basically 'fake it' with her parents' list. Until her job and co-workers turn out to be lots of fun, and reconnecting with her brother and old friends turns out to heal the soul. And her brother's best friend? He grew up in the year she was away.
#NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. Read more reviews! http://dreamerjbookreviews.blogspot.com
At first, Hannah just goes through the motions; she gets a job, she's nice to her family and co-workers, and she plans to basically 'fake it' with her parents' list. Until her job and co-workers turn out to be lots of fun, and reconnecting with her brother and old friends turns out to heal the soul. And her brother's best friend? He grew up in the year she was away.
#NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. Read more reviews! http://dreamerjbookreviews.blogspot.com
December 9, 2023
3.5*
Enjoyable read; I liked watching MC Hannah grow as a person and learn to process what her life looks like now (after her accident). The romance between Hannah and Ethan wasn’t rushed and was fun to read. The side characters didn’t come across as interchangeable and actually had distinctive personalities. The relationship Hannah had with her brother and parents felt organic and I was happy to see her parents have a larger part in the story than what is typical for most YA books nowadays.
I did not care for the flashback parts as much. They seemed to be out of place and made the story disjointed at times, which is why it wasn’t a 4* read for me. There were also some darker elements in those parts that didn’t seem fully addressed by the end of the book, almost like they were glossed over. But overall, this is a fun coming of age read and one of Silverman’s better books in my opinion.
Enjoyable read; I liked watching MC Hannah grow as a person and learn to process what her life looks like now (after her accident). The romance between Hannah and Ethan wasn’t rushed and was fun to read. The side characters didn’t come across as interchangeable and actually had distinctive personalities. The relationship Hannah had with her brother and parents felt organic and I was happy to see her parents have a larger part in the story than what is typical for most YA books nowadays.
I did not care for the flashback parts as much. They seemed to be out of place and made the story disjointed at times, which is why it wasn’t a 4* read for me. There were also some darker elements in those parts that didn’t seem fully addressed by the end of the book, almost like they were glossed over. But overall, this is a fun coming of age read and one of Silverman’s better books in my opinion.
April 16, 2022
*I won an ARC of this book in a giveaway hosted by the author*
hold up, let me wipe up my happy tears before I even attempt to write this review.
Laura Silverman absolutely freaking nailed it with this book, y’all! High school summer jobs, friendships, relationships, grief, personal growth, this book literally has it all. It was written so well and kept me interested (and laughing and crying) the entire time I was reading!!
The Bonanza Cult sounds the greatest place to be and I can’t wait for more people to experience this amazing story!
hold up, let me wipe up my happy tears before I even attempt to write this review.
Laura Silverman absolutely freaking nailed it with this book, y’all! High school summer jobs, friendships, relationships, grief, personal growth, this book literally has it all. It was written so well and kept me interested (and laughing and crying) the entire time I was reading!!
The Bonanza Cult sounds the greatest place to be and I can’t wait for more people to experience this amazing story!
August 22, 2022
Those Summer Nights is perfect for lovers of
Summertime job
Brothers best friend
Coworker crush
Jewish representation
Mending friendships
Healing from loss
Then and now storyline
Bucket-list (but in a homework way)
Those Summer Nights is about Hannah as she comes home from a year of boarding school. When Hannah returns home for a summer job she is facing the results of a summer of hardships and questionable life decisions following the passing of her bubbie and her soccer career coming to an abrupt halt.
Hannah gets a job at Bonanza with the help of her brother giving a job recommendation. Bonanza is a local entertainment multiplex that is filled with a variety of fun games and an eclectic group of coworkers and frequent customers.
Some of the best parts of this book included Hannah‘s healing journey as she is processing the weight of her loss both with her family and with her soccer career. I also really enjoyed the cast of characters that were built up in the bonanza. The Golden oldies stole the bowling alley for me. I love those women so much and would like to personally adopt all of them to be bonus grandmothers for me.
Hannah‘s brother Joey is a cinnamon roll of a human being and should be protected at all costs. Joey has such a caring and compassionate personality I enjoyed every single thing that he was on. He cares so much for his sister and bonanza. Silverman did an amazing job at bringing his character to life.
Ethan is yet another cinnamon bun that needs to be protected at all costs. Ethan and Hannah get to help each other learn how to talk about the things that weigh heavily on them and I think that that is a really special bonding experience to have with someone.
Thank you, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, Margaret K. McElderry Books, Laura Silverman herself, and NetGalley for giving me access to an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Summertime job
Brothers best friend
Coworker crush
Jewish representation
Mending friendships
Healing from loss
Then and now storyline
Bucket-list (but in a homework way)
Those Summer Nights is about Hannah as she comes home from a year of boarding school. When Hannah returns home for a summer job she is facing the results of a summer of hardships and questionable life decisions following the passing of her bubbie and her soccer career coming to an abrupt halt.
Hannah gets a job at Bonanza with the help of her brother giving a job recommendation. Bonanza is a local entertainment multiplex that is filled with a variety of fun games and an eclectic group of coworkers and frequent customers.
Some of the best parts of this book included Hannah‘s healing journey as she is processing the weight of her loss both with her family and with her soccer career. I also really enjoyed the cast of characters that were built up in the bonanza. The Golden oldies stole the bowling alley for me. I love those women so much and would like to personally adopt all of them to be bonus grandmothers for me.
Hannah‘s brother Joey is a cinnamon roll of a human being and should be protected at all costs. Joey has such a caring and compassionate personality I enjoyed every single thing that he was on. He cares so much for his sister and bonanza. Silverman did an amazing job at bringing his character to life.
Ethan is yet another cinnamon bun that needs to be protected at all costs. Ethan and Hannah get to help each other learn how to talk about the things that weigh heavily on them and I think that that is a really special bonding experience to have with someone.
Thank you, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, Margaret K. McElderry Books, Laura Silverman herself, and NetGalley for giving me access to an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 26, 2022
*I won my advanced copy of this book from the author in an Instagram giveaway*
Let me just begin by saying that I had planned to read this book by the pool on vacation, but I started it a few days before and devoured it before we ever reached our destination.
This story is one about loss, grief, searching, repentance, healing, romance, and community (to name a few!!). The entire novel is incredibly organic and feels truthful. Silverman wraps up this tumultuous storyline in a way that feels so real to me. Our main character, who has lost so much, is not miraculously healed/recovered/over it, but she finds peace in her situation, which is an exceptionally worthwhile story for YA readers.
I have also read Recommended for You, and despite only reading 2 of her books, I'm adding Silverman to my list of favorite YA authors. In comparing those two books, one of the things I really enjoyed about both is the sense of a workplace community for her teenaged characters. I don't know if I read a lot of YA books where their workplace is essentially a character in the book, and I feel like she does this well. I also love in both novels the many Jewish themes and references. This is also something not often seen in YA novels.
The ONLY thing I'd change about this book is the name of Patrick Cho. This is only because, for us Gilmore Girls fans, this is the same name as the unseen boy who kisses Lane Kim on the forehead. It drove me nuts as to where I'd heard that name before, but I finally figured it out. 😅
Let me just begin by saying that I had planned to read this book by the pool on vacation, but I started it a few days before and devoured it before we ever reached our destination.
This story is one about loss, grief, searching, repentance, healing, romance, and community (to name a few!!). The entire novel is incredibly organic and feels truthful. Silverman wraps up this tumultuous storyline in a way that feels so real to me. Our main character, who has lost so much, is not miraculously healed/recovered/over it, but she finds peace in her situation, which is an exceptionally worthwhile story for YA readers.
I have also read Recommended for You, and despite only reading 2 of her books, I'm adding Silverman to my list of favorite YA authors. In comparing those two books, one of the things I really enjoyed about both is the sense of a workplace community for her teenaged characters. I don't know if I read a lot of YA books where their workplace is essentially a character in the book, and I feel like she does this well. I also love in both novels the many Jewish themes and references. This is also something not often seen in YA novels.
The ONLY thing I'd change about this book is the name of Patrick Cho. This is only because, for us Gilmore Girls fans, this is the same name as the unseen boy who kisses Lane Kim on the forehead. It drove me nuts as to where I'd heard that name before, but I finally figured it out. 😅
August 16, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc copy of this book.
Okay, this was such a cute read! While there were defiantly highs and lows through the book, I couldn’t help but smile through most of it.
Our main character Hannah goes through some tough changes, from losing her grandmother to her Olympic dream being ripped away. I really related to her journey because shifting your view of the future isn’t easy to do, especially when you have had a one-track mind most of your life.
The romance was absolutely adorable in so many ways. First off, friends to lovers just creates butterflies in my stomach. I also like that nothing was rushed, and everything played out well around Hannahs's own growth within herself.
I also really enjoyed her interactions with the other characters and her family. All of them provided some lesson for her, and nothing felt forced. And her interactions with her ex-best friend were interesting because friendship at any age can be challenging and hard to navigate.
The only thing that really bothered me was the flashback portions. While some of them were very helpful to Hannah's development and my understanding of her, many felt out of place and were used more for filler.
Okay, this was such a cute read! While there were defiantly highs and lows through the book, I couldn’t help but smile through most of it.
Our main character Hannah goes through some tough changes, from losing her grandmother to her Olympic dream being ripped away. I really related to her journey because shifting your view of the future isn’t easy to do, especially when you have had a one-track mind most of your life.
The romance was absolutely adorable in so many ways. First off, friends to lovers just creates butterflies in my stomach. I also like that nothing was rushed, and everything played out well around Hannahs's own growth within herself.
I also really enjoyed her interactions with the other characters and her family. All of them provided some lesson for her, and nothing felt forced. And her interactions with her ex-best friend were interesting because friendship at any age can be challenging and hard to navigate.
The only thing that really bothered me was the flashback portions. While some of them were very helpful to Hannah's development and my understanding of her, many felt out of place and were used more for filler.
July 31, 2022
Hannah's life turned upside down after sophomore year. Her beloved grandmother died and an injury ended her soccer career (around which she had planned her entire life). She spiraled so badly out of control that her parents sent her to boarding school for her junior year. Now she's back for the summer, with a set of conditions to meet or she'll be sent away again. She's desperate to stay but still doesn't see life without her grandmother and soccer. Her brother helps her get a job at Bonanza, an entertainment complex. It is here that Hannah os able to come to terms with what really happened and figure out where to go. This was a great summer read! Highly recommended for grades 8 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
August 11, 2022
This is a cute and fast read, though there are definitely darker elements in the flashback chapters. Hannah's Olympic dreams are shattered (like her ankle) and, after a year away at boarding school, she's back and trying to prove herself to her parents. My favorite part about the entire book was the haven that is Bonanza. This flashy adventure zone is reminiscent of the arcades and funplexes of our youths and just emanates good vibes. At times it got a bit dark, but it's contrasted nicely with the burgeoning summer romance between Hannah and Ethan.
*Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
*Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
June 18, 2023
I didn’t know what it was to truly miss someone until I lost her.
3.5 ☆
I didn't enjoy THOSE SUMMER NIGHTS as much as I loved Silverman's other books, but it was the perfect summer ya to get out of my reading slump. The story wasn't as heavy as I expected, even if it dealt with grief, injuries and addiction, because it focused a lot on having a good support system. It was actually pretty fun to read thanks to all the chaos that happened at the amusement park.
August 22, 2022
4.5/5
this book was super cute! hannah, the main character, had amazing character growth! this was a fun & fast summer read :)
this book was super cute! hannah, the main character, had amazing character growth! this was a fun & fast summer read :)
June 22, 2023
LOVED this book!
Read
August 7, 2023It was way more emotional than I thought. I loved it!
September 24, 2023
2.5 stars
I'm sick so I decided to read this. I was so excited to read this, but sadly it disappointed. I wish it didn't.
I'm sick so I decided to read this. I was so excited to read this, but sadly it disappointed. I wish it didn't.
February 7, 2024
i liked this book a lot. it had way less romance than i expected, and i love the whole game center job, and how we slowly started to uncover her past through flashbacks.
March 12, 2023
3.5
The vibes were great
The vibes were great
April 24, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
November 5, 2023
Most annoying main character ever
July 23, 2023
Did I read this book just because the title is (almost) the title of a song in Grease? Yep. Was it very YA? Yeah. Was it still super adorable & fun? Yes.
February 9, 2024
Omg this book was so freaking adorable I absolutely adored the characters and how much the characters developed during the course of the story. I especially enjoyed the romance between Hannah the main characters romance blossom through the story as well.
November 25, 2022
Trigger warnings: death, severe injury, hospitalization, alcohol abuse
I've been a fan of Laura Silverman since her debut, but I have kind of fallen off her radar with her new books. However, I saw on Twitter that this one was coming out this year so I jumped on it! This book reminded me why I loved her books! Her writing style is simple but so honest. It always helps me to connect with her characters so intimately. However, I was a little frustrated with the main character Hannah in this one. I understood what she had gone through and why she had such a apocalyptic attitude, but I wanted her to get it together faster haha. When I reached the end though, I understood why the story developed the way it did. I really enjoyed the side characters and the romance. It was sweet and slow and cute! I'm really glad I've gotten back into this author's work.
I've been a fan of Laura Silverman since her debut, but I have kind of fallen off her radar with her new books. However, I saw on Twitter that this one was coming out this year so I jumped on it! This book reminded me why I loved her books! Her writing style is simple but so honest. It always helps me to connect with her characters so intimately. However, I was a little frustrated with the main character Hannah in this one. I understood what she had gone through and why she had such a apocalyptic attitude, but I wanted her to get it together faster haha. When I reached the end though, I understood why the story developed the way it did. I really enjoyed the side characters and the romance. It was sweet and slow and cute! I'm really glad I've gotten back into this author's work.
August 6, 2022
SPOILERS BELOW!
god, I don’t know how to rate this. maybe a 4.5, but I genuinely have no clue if it’s more 4 or 5. I feel like this book is on the plain side, at lot more things are told rather than of showed. like the golden oldies are cool because hannah repeatedly says they’re cool, ethan is great because he’s hot and they vibe together, but I’m not entirely convinced on their chemistry. however, I do love a good ol’ brother’s best friend trope and I was rooting for their side of the triangle! (but ugh love triangle)
but at the same time, this book is EMOTIONAL. like I CRIED. TWICE. like she writes loss and healing so well, I’m stunned. AND THE FRIENDSHIPS! BONANZA! I love my job but I also wish I worked somewhere like that, the community sounds amazing! and that final bronze medal to match her Bubbie’s was an amazing touch
I think this story was developed really well. like the writing is okay, it got a bit bland at times and I skim read a couple pages, the characters is okay, it probably didn’t need those flashback scenes, imo I don’t think it was necessary to show the background in that style, but the development, oh my goodness, I love Hannah’s character development so much, and the FRIENDSHIPS! this is definitely more character based than plot based, I swear half the relationship stuff was unnecessary and the premise of sending a child away for a year is a bit hmMMm in opinion as a plot line
but the bonanza olympics sound so fun, tbh that’s one of the biggest reasons I requested this book, and I’m glad that didn’t disappoint!
thank you so much netgalley and simon and schuster for this e-arc!
god, I don’t know how to rate this. maybe a 4.5, but I genuinely have no clue if it’s more 4 or 5. I feel like this book is on the plain side, at lot more things are told rather than of showed. like the golden oldies are cool because hannah repeatedly says they’re cool, ethan is great because he’s hot and they vibe together, but I’m not entirely convinced on their chemistry. however, I do love a good ol’ brother’s best friend trope and I was rooting for their side of the triangle! (but ugh love triangle)
but at the same time, this book is EMOTIONAL. like I CRIED. TWICE. like she writes loss and healing so well, I’m stunned. AND THE FRIENDSHIPS! BONANZA! I love my job but I also wish I worked somewhere like that, the community sounds amazing! and that final bronze medal to match her Bubbie’s was an amazing touch
I think this story was developed really well. like the writing is okay, it got a bit bland at times and I skim read a couple pages, the characters is okay, it probably didn’t need those flashback scenes, imo I don’t think it was necessary to show the background in that style, but the development, oh my goodness, I love Hannah’s character development so much, and the FRIENDSHIPS! this is definitely more character based than plot based, I swear half the relationship stuff was unnecessary and the premise of sending a child away for a year is a bit hmMMm in opinion as a plot line
but the bonanza olympics sound so fun, tbh that’s one of the biggest reasons I requested this book, and I’m glad that didn’t disappoint!
thank you so much netgalley and simon and schuster for this e-arc!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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