Sarah Ockler

Twenty boy summer

Monicap

3.9 stars.

While this is not my favorite, not ranking in the levels of, say, Divergent, VA, Angel Burn and the like, I enjoyed this book. I think the characters were the thing that really made this story for me. I mean, the Story was interesting, but not thing that I typically read. And the romance was cute, but it only really impacted me when it was compared to the MC's prior romance and all the shit that happened there.

But the MC here had a really clear voice and understandable emotions and reactions, and that's what made this story for me. 

I kind of wish this story had ended about three chapters before it did. When the MC said good-bye to the ocean and they left Zanzibar Bay, that felt like an ending to me, but I like the way that it did end, and I understand that the author felt obligated to tighten the the loose end (that I feel she'd already tied up) with Frankie and Anna.

Basically, what I'm saying is that while this was not favorite story ever, I understand why people rave about Sarah Ockler. I do think I will pick up something else by Sarah Ockler in the future, though it will probably be from the library, bot something that I'll buy.

While on vacation in California, sixteen-year-old best friends Anna and Frankie conspire to find a boy for Anna's first kiss, but Anna harbors a painful secret that threatens their lighthearted plan and their friendship.

Twenty Boy Summer

Another book about dealing with loss. I have no idea why, I just see some books and read them randomly but they all tend out to be about death, moving on and finding love. 

Ive been wanting to read this for a long time now but I haven't exactly had the time. Now that I have, I'm really glad I did.
First off, the book cover is totally amazing. Sea glass is so beautiful, although I've never paid that much attention to it before. The title doesn't give justice to how wonderful the book actually is, although it provides some mystery and a lot of the surprise factor. 

The narration at the prologue was young and innocent, making me cry more when the accident happened. Everyone experiences loss, but Anna felt it at such a young age and I ached for her. Their little triangle of friends broke, and that was painful for me too. What's more tragic is that Anna has no one to open up to, because she's too busy being the heroine. So when she goes on a vacation to California with her second family, the emotions even a year afterwards are still raw, and the gaping hole Matt's presence left is clearer than ever. The memories of him starts to resurface no matter how bard they try, and closure is one of the hardest things to achieve. I liked how the book wasn't only sad and emotional, it was also intense, funny, and beautiful. The characters are realistic and relatable, although their actions weren't exactly agreeable. I couldn't understand Frankie, though, and her behavior and attitude, probably because I never dealt with people like her. The romantic encounter at Cali was very romantic, but totally pale in comparison to her first love. I guess its because her first love was nice and tender and more real than anything else I've ever read. 

Twenty Boy Summer  is a must read, seemingly light bt actually intense and emotional. 4.5 stars

Emmett

I finished this only by skipping a few pages to get to the ending. It's a beautifully crafted book in its own way, with it's youthfully poetic style and detailed strikingly accurate descriptions of feelings and scenes. I attribute my impatience to its at times rather simplistic prose, but I can't possibly put it down because of that as this is a book targeting younger readers, which would have necessitated that.

Tameka Young

I was really surprised by how much I loved this book. After I started following the author Sarah Ockler on Twitter, I couldn't wait to read her book because she seemed really funny and nice and she followed me back and sent me a tweet which always appeals my rampant narcissism. Anyway, I was in the queue for this book at my library and about 28th or 29th on the list when the whole Wesley Scroggins hoopla about the book came out. Some blather about the title promoting promiscuity or what not. I know when I read the blurb it did not sound like two sorority chicks going crazy in Cancun but my curiosity was peaked so I went ahead and bought it. 

This book is awesomely sweet, sad, funny, and poignant look at loss, grief, friendship, and acceptance in a beautiful beach setting. I was engaged from the very beginning and loved taking the journey with Frankie and Anna who are really fun and believable characters. Solid, original story with great dialogue and the author really handles some very tough subjects in a non preachy or judgmental way. Suck it Scroggins.

Julie D.

Kathryn 

This book fell really flat for me. For a book about heavier topics I just wasn’t very invested. I wasn’t very attached to any of the characters (especially Sam and Frankie) and overall just think it could have been hashed out a little better. Just not quite for me.

Jimena Vázquez Oliver

Maybe it’s the fact that I’m no longer a teenager but liiike... I really have no patience any more for characters doing crappy things and then just ✨letting it go✨ without any signs of genuine remorse or an apology because they were ✨going through stuff.✨ Grow up.

Jade Flynn

“Sometimes you gotta just take things for what they are and appreciate them, not try to label it or explain it. Explanations take the mystery out of it, you know?”

Megan Leprich

This has honestly been one of my favorite books since I was a teenager. I'm not even going to try and count how many times I've read it because I don't want to embarrass myself.

Anna has had a crush on her friend Matt since she was 10 years old. Only problem is, Anna's best friend is Frankie, Matt's sister. On Anna's 15th birthday Matt finally confesses that he has feelings for her too. After keeping it a secret for a little while, they decide they're finally going to come clean and tell Frankie about it. And then Matt dies and Anna's heart is broken. Frankie decides to take Anna on the family vacation to Zanzibar Bay for twenty days and decides they need to have a summer fling every day, with new boys. Anna lightheartedly agrees but knows she's already had her one great love, Matt.

I absolutely loved this book and it's one I could reread constantly. I love the cover and how Sarah Ockler used sea glass like she did in her novel.

Twenty boy summer

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