Second chance summer

Could use a little grammer fixing, but other than that: AN AMAZING BOOK! Also really, really, really sad book. I cried ten times.

Morgan Matson's books have a wonderful way of finding yourself in them, even in the midst of pain and grief and flaws.

Bring the tissues for this one because wow. I loved everything about this book and I really felt for Taylor and her entire family despite not having personally experienced having a terminally ill close family member. It was a sad, moving, coming-of-age journey that focused a lot on family and I was here for it! Just read this book. Morgan Matson, I will read anything and everything you write! Definitely one of my favourite contemporary authors.

this remains my favorite morgan matson book of all time. ugly cried through the last 100 pages, again. there is magic in these pages.

I ACCIDENTALLY DELETED MY LONG REVIEW HERE WHAT THE FFFFF WILL EDIT THIS LATER WOW I'M SO ANNOYED

“The thing is that people only get hurt—really hurt—when they’re trying to play it safe. That’s when people get injured, when they pull back at the last second because they’re scared. They hurt themselves and other people.” After reading Matson's Amy and Roger's Epic Detour (which I also gave 5 stars), I knew I would enjoy and love her other works, Second Chance Summer per se. Reading the former left me like, "That was it?!" (in a good way), while reading the latter left me like, "YEAH. That was it. " Margon's writing style definitely fits my standard. She creates realistic, endearing characters that almost everyone can relate to. Not flawless. Not perfect. Personally, I could relate to Taylor because I'm not affectionate toward my family. I'm not close with my brother. I can't say 'I love you' to my parents. And just like her, I often times run when problems arise. I love everything about this book. It doesn't focus on snappy romance. It is mixed with what really life is all about—friendship, family, problems. It is balanced. I know not everyone will like Matson's slow-paced writing, but I don't care... I really adore it. The characters' development is what important, and Matson nailed it. I was emotionally attached to Taylor and her family. With the help of this book, I've proven that I really do have weak tear ducts. I learned life's lessons on this book. To have courage; always take a leap of faith. To appreciate all the wonderful things we have now, before they're gone. And to take second chance as if there would be no third chance. “And I’ve realized that the Beatles got it wrong. Love isn’t all we need—love is all there is.”

Book #20 Read in 2013 Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson (YA) Taylor's father is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He wants to spend the last summer at the summer home, all of them together, as a family. Taylor and her family are dreading the thought of losing him, but life continues to go on. Taylor needs to repair relationships with her friends from the summer town, namely Lucy and Henry. As she attempts to do so, she connects with her father and learns more about him and ultimately, learns about herself. This was a good read and yes I did tear up while reading it. I think my favorite quote was near the end of the book and Taylor states that "today was a day that would split my life into before and after". This totally captured how I felt when I lost my mom when I was a teenager. Your life is never the same. Besides emotional power, this book included great characters (loved Taylor and her father), romance, and wonderful canine in Murphy the dog. I recommend it. http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com

I really enjoyed this book which was the right amount of joyful/summery and serious/sad. The family was great and the dad's illness was handled well. I cried a lot at the end but it was beautifully done. I also really enjoyed the romance, the friendships and the side characters (and the dog!). The only thing I didn't like was the main character's flaw, her tendency to run away from her problems. I know she had to have some flaw or another but this one created quite frustrating scenes that I wasn't in love with.

3.5/5 ♡ second chance summer was a story of beginnings and endings. of all the morgan matson books, this novel is probably my least favorite. not because i didn't like it or anything, i just felt there could've been more. taylor, the main character, wasn't my favorite because i couldn't clearly see her. given her situation, it's understandable to be emotionally distraught, but even after finishing the book i still don't really know who she is? some of her actions were also SO frustrating. although some of the characters were questionable, i LOVE the family relationships in this one. it's probably my favorite part of the novel. the way everything played out made me reconsider and be more aware of my own family. even when things in the plot are falling apart, their family is also coming together like never before. the romantic relationships, however, made me feel pretty neutral. although yes, i did like their relationship, i also thought it escaladed too suddenly. before we even get to know the personality of the main love interest, they're making out. that's another thing: all they ever did was kiss. what of the talking? and confiding? and comforting? i dunno, it bothered me a bit. given the lack of connection with taylor, i was surprisingly invested at the end. people kept telling me i'd be crying by the end and i actually did cry. it just made me realize and feel a lot of feelings. although i felt the characters and relationships were lacking in some parts, i still really enjoyed this novel! i love the family and general message/plotline. i love how emotional it made me at times. i love the character development and friendships. overall, i'm glad i read this book but i don't think it will stick with me as much as morgan matson's other novels.

It's just one of those stories that made me feel everything. It made me laugh hard, it made me smile, and hell, it made me cry buckets. Yet another amazing summer read from Morgan Matson.

**4.5/5 stars** FUCK!!!!!!! Probably shouldn't have done my makeup before finishing this.....

UGH. I think Morgan Matson has a strange and evil fascination with making all her readers cry their eyeballs out.

Turn up your standard issue teen novel with a sweet summer romance, a lot of growing up and a dying parent? An enjoyable read while sacked out on the couch with a spring cold.

2 HOURS LATER I'M STILL CRYING

This is a new favorite. You will feel every emotion during this wonderfully beautiful novel about love. Not just loving someone, but everyone - including yourself.

this book made me cry but only cuz it talks about death, overall it was stupid

4/5 stars It's late, I'm tired, and my phone is about to die, so my review is going to be short. As the title suggests, Second Chance Summer is about second chances, and told the heartbreaking story of a family coming together for one last second chance. This story broke my heart, as all the Morgan Matson books I've read have, and also made me wish to be young (wait a second, I am young...) and in love.

Warning: This is a sobbing, puffy eyes, crying book from the first page to the last. Well written story about Taylor, a girl whose father has unexpectedly been diagnosed with cancer and given 4 months to live. He chooses to take his family back to the lake house for his last summer. This is a book about family relationships, first love, mending friendships and coping with the impending death of a loved one. I opened the book with trepidation because crying books are not my thing but this is a beautiful story that is about so much more than death.

4 stars I really like Morgan Matson's writing style and how her stories seem to progress very naturally. I leave this book with a heavy heart for more than one reason.

I am crying so hard. I can't stop. This book was phenomenal

This was the perfect contemporary novels. It seems very cliche when you first pick it up but in just a few chapters I was emotionally attached to the characters. I loved the way the author built the environment of Lake Phoenix and made he place and the people there seem so perfect in the midst of all the trouble the protagonist is having while living there. The contrast between these makes the story so much more effective. The writing is personable and I was crying at the end. Fully recommended. 4.75/5 stars

I would completely recommend this book if you like reading about someone dealing with their past to create peace for their future. Everyone has a past, some worse than others, and Morgan Matson does an amazing job describing everything and creating a great storyline. This book is a tear jerker and it does involve death. I first read this book in middle school, and to this day it remains my favorite book.

When Taylor’s dad received news that he was dying, her family decide to spend their last summer all together at their old lake house in Pocono Mountains. As Taylor’s family gets to reconnect she discovers her former best friend and her first boyfriend haven’t left. Matson’s books are so easy to read and impossible to put down, her books can be read within one day (if you don’t have a busy schedule) Before you read this book you might wants to grab some tissues because this book made me bawl my eyes out and that doesn’t happen often.

So many tears but oh goodness i loved it.