Goodreads Blurb
"Don’t worry, Anna. I’ll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."
"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won’t say anything?"
"Don’t worry.” I laughed. “It’s our secret, right?"
According to Anna’s best friend, Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there’s a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there’s something she hasn’t told Frankie–she’s already had her romance, and it was with Frankie’s older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.
"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won’t say anything?"
"Don’t worry.” I laughed. “It’s our secret, right?"
According to Anna’s best friend, Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there’s a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there’s something she hasn’t told Frankie–she’s already had her romance, and it was with Frankie’s older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.
My problem with Twenty Boy Summer, I think, was just that I had all these high expectations, and I was waiting the entire book, waiting for that magical “OMG LOVE” moment to happen. I mean, I was told that it was super emotional, but it just didn’t work for me. Maybe I was just placing it on a pedestal already and when it didn’t meet up…well, I doubt I would’ve liked it anyways. Like I said, I was waiting for that “LOVE IT” moment.
It didn’t happen.
The first thing that seriously irritated me were the characters. It was…Ugh. I really, really, really, wanted to strangle them, especially Anna and Frankie. Anna followed Frankie on literally ANYTHING no matter how stupid it was. Anna was supposed to be the smart, well-grounded one? She seemed the complete opposite, more of a minion than anything else. Frankie = Oompa Loompa. Anna = Other, less popular Oompa Loompa. I mean, that’s how they acted (not to be harsh). And honestly, Frankie was pretty slutty. I mean, she didn’t feel like it was awkward when a what? 50-year-dude stared at them and bought drinks for them? Or flirting with guys to get free drinks? What’s worse is that Anna didn’t find it too weird. Also: Frankie wasn’t a very nice friend. She was…bitchy. To everyone.
Another thing: the romance wasn’t all too great either. Anna was supposedly still in love with matt throughout the book, but she didn’t act it. She fell in love with Sam so quickly, in one day really. It wasn’t very realistic and I found myself disappointed further. And with Frankie’s own romance…more insta-love for sure. It didn’t affect me and my reaction was more “Oh. Words. Nice. Sentences. Ok. Paragraphs. Yuck.” Anna didn’t seem to get that she’d only know Sam for a day and couldn’t stop thinking about him. It was too rushed, and it seemed like the authors just wanted things to speed along.
Plot-wise, I couldn’t find anything very emotional about it. Anna was hiding a secret and I felt so annoyed by it. But that, I could understand why she didn’t tell. I also loved those symbolical times. Like throwing that red sea glass back into the ocean? That was the only decent part for me, really.
Twenty Boy Summer just wasn’t for me. I had to force myself to get through it, and I mainly skimmed half the book. I definitely wouldn’t recommend this anytime soon. ½ stars for taking place in Cali where I’m from, .5 for teaching me a whole bunch of new words (and helping me with my ELA homework!), and ½ for the good and flowing writing. And that’s me being nice.
I have been wanting to read this one but, I have put it off because I am not a huge contemp fan usually, only because I feel like a lot of them seem to be too shallow sometimes, I remember seeing that this book was on the banned book list and it really surprised me because it doesn't seem that controversial. Thanks for your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteKristin @ Young Adult Book Haven
I really liked this one, but could see why you didn't. Frankie did really annoy me, but I think that's what the author was going for. Anna needed to let her go and figure stuff out on her own instead of just going along for the ride.
ReplyDeleteYep. I had the same reaction when I brought this one home from the library a few weeks ago. I had heard numerous times that it was fantastic. I couldn't even really get invested in the story. Maybe something is wrong with us? Hmmmm. That is something to think about! Just kidding! Thanks for the review. Glad to know that I am not alone
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm sorry you didn't like this one! :( I haven't read it and probably won't now.
ReplyDeleteOh, but I loved this book! I agree with some of your points, and I hated how quick Anna jumped in with Sam. I almost wished Sarah Ockler brought Matt back as a ghost. The best part was seeing Anna and Matt's love in the beginning!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you didn't enjoy this one! I've been wanting to read this one for a really long time and I was actually planning on going and buying it soon.. but I think I might just request it from the library.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, thanks for being honest. (: