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daphx00's review against another edition
4.0
After trying (and failing) to read four books, I was desperate to find something I could read and actually finish. I was in a really bad reading funk when this was picked out for me, and I was afraid that I would have to put this one away as well. But the opposite was true; this excellent book managed to drag me out of my reading funk within a couple of pages. It was brilliantly written and I loved the whole vibe of the book.
Anna and Frankie are best friends, and I loved their chemistry. They acted like best friends, and sure there was one that was completely different from the other, but you knew why they were friends in the first place.
The whole story was wonderfully set up, and the feeling of the book was fantastic. I love how the cover connects to the story and what it means to the characters. I'm really at a loss for words how to describe the book, it was really good and had me on the verge of tears multiple times.
The reason I didn't give the book the full 5 stars is that I felt like some parts didn't connect to me as well as others, which was really the only thing missing for me from the book. The ending was perfect because it wasn't, and that was the moment the tears really started flowing.
A beautifully written book, with great characters and a solid storyline. I would recommend it to anyone who likes contemporary - it's a great story about loss and heartbreak, and trying to fit the pieces together again. Definitely recommended.
Find this review and others on Loving Books.
Anna and Frankie are best friends, and I loved their chemistry. They acted like best friends, and sure there was one that was completely different from the other, but you knew why they were friends in the first place.
The whole story was wonderfully set up, and the feeling of the book was fantastic. I love how the cover connects to the story and what it means to the characters. I'm really at a loss for words how to describe the book, it was really good and had me on the verge of tears multiple times.
The reason I didn't give the book the full 5 stars is that I felt like some parts didn't connect to me as well as others, which was really the only thing missing for me from the book. The ending was perfect because it wasn't, and that was the moment the tears really started flowing.
A beautifully written book, with great characters and a solid storyline. I would recommend it to anyone who likes contemporary - it's a great story about loss and heartbreak, and trying to fit the pieces together again. Definitely recommended.
Find this review and others on Loving Books.
emldavis001's review against another edition
5.0
This book was not what I expected. I honestly though it would be another one of those sappy romance books, but I'm glad to say that I was wrong. This book really pulled on all the heartstrings, and I definitely recommend it. It's one of the best.
ohtrisarahtops's review against another edition
3.0
This review can also be found here
Going into this I was expecting something that was going to rip my heart out, I didn't get that. Sure the book was a sad one but I just didn't really get that into it. We start off with Frankie, Anna and Matt. They're all best friends and Matt and Frankie are brother and sister. Anna and Matt end up kissing and she thinks it's all going to be great until it isn't. Matt was going to tell his sister about their relationship but he didn't get a chance before he died. Anna not wanting to betray him doesn't say anything. You can see where the drama's going to start right?
The writing was fantastic, it really was. I just think it was me who wasn't a huge fan of this one. The choices that are made throughout this novel just really bothered me and I absolutely hated one of the characters.
Let's talk about Anna first though. She's a doormat. Honestly, she just lets Frankie push her around and tell her what to do because she's afraid of hurting her. I get it, Frankie's brother died, but she's really hurting as well and she doesn't say anything. And Frankie was the most vain, controlling, manipulative character. She really got on my nerves and I honestly thought Anna would have been better off without her.
I do however recommend this for a quick read. Sure it's got some touchy subjects but it's also got it's moments of pure fluff.
Going into this I was expecting something that was going to rip my heart out, I didn't get that. Sure the book was a sad one but I just didn't really get that into it. We start off with Frankie, Anna and Matt. They're all best friends and Matt and Frankie are brother and sister. Anna and Matt end up kissing and she thinks it's all going to be great until it isn't. Matt was going to tell his sister about their relationship but he didn't get a chance before he died. Anna not wanting to betray him doesn't say anything. You can see where the drama's going to start right?
The writing was fantastic, it really was. I just think it was me who wasn't a huge fan of this one. The choices that are made throughout this novel just really bothered me and I absolutely hated one of the characters.
Let's talk about Anna first though. She's a doormat. Honestly, she just lets Frankie push her around and tell her what to do because she's afraid of hurting her. I get it, Frankie's brother died, but she's really hurting as well and she doesn't say anything. And Frankie was the most vain, controlling, manipulative character. She really got on my nerves and I honestly thought Anna would have been better off without her.
I do however recommend this for a quick read. Sure it's got some touchy subjects but it's also got it's moments of pure fluff.
nathalyalvarez's review against another edition
3.0
En realidad este libro merece dos estrellas. Pero en honor a mi personaje favorito son tres. Anna y Frankie son unos personajes demasiado tediosos, e incluso molestos. La única vez que me gustaron es cuando hablaban de Matt. Es increíble ¿no?
Pensé que disfrutaría este libro tanto como disfrute El Cielo Esta En Cualquier Lugar de Jandy Nelson, en realidad desea que fuera así. Pero Anna es sin duda, el personaje que menos me ha entretenido en toda mi vida. La forma en que narra es muy molesta.
Las únicas veces que me sentí identificada con el libro es cuando Anna narraba sus sentimientos, momentos o recuerdos de Matt o de Sam, de lo demás, era aburrido leerla. Hablemos de Matt, todo lo referente a Matt, lo que hacia, sus gustos, sus preferencias, sus historias. Esos pocos momentos en que Anna contaba como era Matt eran los únicos momentos en que en realidad este libro me cautivo.
majs1337's review against another edition
3.0
Alltså, jag vet inte riktigt vad jag tycker
Boken var, för det mesta, underhållande. Ibland så var den lite långsam och ibland så var det lite för mycket fokus på det faktum att brorsan/pojkvännen dött (det är ingen spoiler, det händer i första kapitlet).
Är inte heller säker på om jag älskar huvudkaraktärerna.
Jag skulle inte rekommendera den överdrivet mycket, men om man väljer att läsa den så är det heller inget dåligt. Boken är bara inte så märkvärdig.
Boken var, för det mesta, underhållande. Ibland så var den lite långsam och ibland så var det lite för mycket fokus på det faktum att brorsan/pojkvännen dött (det är ingen spoiler, det händer i första kapitlet).
Är inte heller säker på om jag älskar huvudkaraktärerna.
Jag skulle inte rekommendera den överdrivet mycket, men om man väljer att läsa den så är det heller inget dåligt. Boken är bara inte så märkvärdig.
reader4evr's review against another edition
3.0
Back during Banned Book week, I read an article in the local newspaper about how this man who I think was a parent with young kids and also a professor at Missouri State University or on the board or something like that was pitching a fit about this book and a few others and saying how they weren't appropriate for teens/children to read. So of course, I had to read this to find out what he was crabbing about. It was nothing what I thought it was going to be but that's a good thing.
This book is about summer romance, loss and friendship. It is about 3 best friends/siblings (Frankie, Anna and Matt) and what happens after a tragic accident and a year after that during a summer vacation. During their summer trip, Frankie and Anna decide they must meet twenty boys over the course of their vacation and they are going to document it through this video camera. At the end, they figure out that they couldn't even make it to 20 individually or even putting their numbers together because they both become infatuated with people/things they didn't think would happen.
I love the relationship of Frankie and Anna. They complement each other and I feel like a lot of teen girls can relate to them because they are such polar opposites. Frankie was kind of annoying at time but towards the end of the novel, you really see why she acts the way she does. But there were times that she cracked me up trying to use "sophistacted" words. Example:
"Anna, I swear, sometimes you can be so - so chartreuse."
"Did you give him a fake - wait, what did you call me?"
"Chartreuse. You know, dense. What?"
"Frankie, you just called me a shade of green. I think you mean obtuse."
"Well, you are looking a little pale."
I love the cover and when you read the book you find out what the heart is made out of.
One of the best quotes in the book: "I really don't even know you, and yet, in my life, you are forever entangled; to my history, inextricably bound."
This book is about summer romance, loss and friendship. It is about 3 best friends/siblings (Frankie, Anna and Matt) and what happens after a tragic accident and a year after that during a summer vacation. During their summer trip, Frankie and Anna decide they must meet twenty boys over the course of their vacation and they are going to document it through this video camera. At the end, they figure out that they couldn't even make it to 20 individually or even putting their numbers together because they both become infatuated with people/things they didn't think would happen.
I love the relationship of Frankie and Anna. They complement each other and I feel like a lot of teen girls can relate to them because they are such polar opposites. Frankie was kind of annoying at time but towards the end of the novel, you really see why she acts the way she does. But there were times that she cracked me up trying to use "sophistacted" words. Example:
"Anna, I swear, sometimes you can be so - so chartreuse."
"Did you give him a fake - wait, what did you call me?"
"Chartreuse. You know, dense. What?"
"Frankie, you just called me a shade of green. I think you mean obtuse."
"Well, you are looking a little pale."
I love the cover and when you read the book you find out what the heart is made out of.
One of the best quotes in the book: "I really don't even know you, and yet, in my life, you are forever entangled; to my history, inextricably bound."
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
This was a wonderful, gorgeous book. However, there were one or two things that I didn't particularly like.
Let me first start with what I liked.
First up. Matt's and Anna's relationship. They were so wonderful, so perfect together, and I feel like they had a big future ahead of them. It is so sad this happened to her, that his happened to Matt. No one deserves to die like that. So young, so full of plans, ideas and hopes. A future full of things that he wanted to do. All shattered away by the weakness of the human body.
I could also understand why Matt wanted to keep things a secret. He cares deeply about his sister, knows that this relationship might break her. After all they are all friends, and now 2 of the 3 are in love with each other. Are in a relationship.
I loved the family trip. The descriptions of the beach, the town, the houses, the stores, everything. I just felt like I was there. Enjoying the sun, taking a swim.
The whole grieving/lost part was done pretty well. It was pretty believable how even after a whole year there is still so much hurt, so much pain. After all they lost something huge, something big. They lost a son, a brother, a boyfriend.
I could relate to Anna at most parts. Not always though. Sometimes I found her a bit silly, other times I wished she was just honest and that she would tell Frankie all about Matt. I wish she would be honest, as she was drowning in tears, she was lost and alone. And she pushed that all aside to be with her friend, to take care of her friend.
I think she could have lost most of the grief if she had talked to someone. Anyone, really. She should have talked, not cropped it up and written letters in her journal. She also deserves to cry, to scream, to shout, to talk. I don't think it is healthy to just hold it all back, because of a promise. Because of a hidden relationship.
I am not sure what I thought about Sam. At times, I really liked him and he was a great character. He listened to Anna when she wanted to talk. He was there for her when she needed help. I also love the ending, while it isn't clearly said what happens between her and Sam after she gets back, I still think she will contact him and that they will try to meet at least once again. They have a connection, they had a good time. And he helped her out so much with so many things.
I really disliked Frankie and I hated her when she did that to her best friend. She has no right. Sure, he was her brother, but she isn't the only fucking one grieving. Fuck you. Fuck you so much. Your brother touched many people's hearts, you can't just claim him and expect that everyone caters to your desperate wishes. Sick little bitch. And she was a big hypocrite (I won't spoil anything, but let's just say, when I heard about it, I was soooo pissed).
I am sorry, but I really think that. Sure, I could also see she was a pretty decent friend. However, real friends don't push each other to lose virginity, to build an entire mission around it. Virginity is something special. And I might be old-fashioned, but I think you should wait with losing your virginity until you find that special person. Until the circumstances are right. Not because a best friend forces you do it, and you crumble under peer pressure.
I didn't like how she was so demanding and acting like a little spoiled princess.
And again, after a certain event, my hate was tripled or even more.
And I know, I know, she was probably grieving, wanting attention from her dear mommie and daddy, but there are just other ways than destroying your body with smoking, hooking up with boys and other things. Urgh.
Again, I think it would have been better had Anna talked to someone. We might not be in this huge pile of poo if it were for that.
At times it was a bit boring, at times I was a bit annoyed, but all in all this was one pretty story. I am really happy that one of my libraries had this book in English (it is so rare to find English books). I am happy I picked it up and that I had a chance to read it.
I would recommend this book to everyone.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Let me first start with what I liked.
First up. Matt's and Anna's relationship. They were so wonderful, so perfect together, and I feel like they had a big future ahead of them. It is so sad this happened to her, that his happened to Matt. No one deserves to die like that. So young, so full of plans, ideas and hopes. A future full of things that he wanted to do. All shattered away by the weakness of the human body.
I could also understand why Matt wanted to keep things a secret. He cares deeply about his sister, knows that this relationship might break her. After all they are all friends, and now 2 of the 3 are in love with each other. Are in a relationship.
I loved the family trip. The descriptions of the beach, the town, the houses, the stores, everything. I just felt like I was there. Enjoying the sun, taking a swim.
The whole grieving/lost part was done pretty well. It was pretty believable how even after a whole year there is still so much hurt, so much pain. After all they lost something huge, something big. They lost a son, a brother, a boyfriend.
I could relate to Anna at most parts. Not always though. Sometimes I found her a bit silly, other times I wished she was just honest and that she would tell Frankie all about Matt. I wish she would be honest, as she was drowning in tears, she was lost and alone. And she pushed that all aside to be with her friend, to take care of her friend.
I think she could have lost most of the grief if she had talked to someone. Anyone, really. She should have talked, not cropped it up and written letters in her journal. She also deserves to cry, to scream, to shout, to talk. I don't think it is healthy to just hold it all back, because of a promise. Because of a hidden relationship.
I am not sure what I thought about Sam. At times, I really liked him and he was a great character. He listened to Anna when she wanted to talk. He was there for her when she needed help. I also love the ending, while it isn't clearly said what happens between her and Sam after she gets back, I still think she will contact him and that they will try to meet at least once again. They have a connection, they had a good time. And he helped her out so much with so many things.
I really disliked Frankie and I hated her when she did that to her best friend. She has no right. Sure, he was her brother, but she isn't the only fucking one grieving. Fuck you. Fuck you so much. Your brother touched many people's hearts, you can't just claim him and expect that everyone caters to your desperate wishes. Sick little bitch. And she was a big hypocrite (I won't spoil anything, but let's just say, when I heard about it, I was soooo pissed).
I am sorry, but I really think that. Sure, I could also see she was a pretty decent friend. However, real friends don't push each other to lose virginity, to build an entire mission around it. Virginity is something special. And I might be old-fashioned, but I think you should wait with losing your virginity until you find that special person. Until the circumstances are right. Not because a best friend forces you do it, and you crumble under peer pressure.
I didn't like how she was so demanding and acting like a little spoiled princess.
And again, after a certain event, my hate was tripled or even more.
And I know, I know, she was probably grieving, wanting attention from her dear mommie and daddy, but there are just other ways than destroying your body with smoking, hooking up with boys and other things. Urgh.
Again, I think it would have been better had Anna talked to someone. We might not be in this huge pile of poo if it were for that.
At times it was a bit boring, at times I was a bit annoyed, but all in all this was one pretty story. I am really happy that one of my libraries had this book in English (it is so rare to find English books). I am happy I picked it up and that I had a chance to read it.
I would recommend this book to everyone.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
agnesgailx's review against another edition
4.0
Twenty Boy Summer is a heartbreak-inducing, tear-jerking novel. Do not be fooled by the title of this book. The title somehow makes it seem like this book will be a light-hearted, summer read, but it is faaaar from it.
The story is told in Anna's POV and I really enjoyed the way she told her story. Anna and Frankie are best friends, together with Frankie's brother, Matt. These three were inseparable, but somewhere along the way, Matt and Anna fell in love. They both decide to keep this a secret from Frankie, afraid that she might feel left out and alone. Matt makes Anna promise to not say a word to Frankie, and that he would tell her himself when they go on their summer vacation. And then tragedy strikes, and Matt passes away in a horrible accident.
A year later, Anna goes with Frankie's family on their yearly vacation. This is where the story begins.
Anna and Frankie have such opposing personalities, but somehow they work together. Anna is the go-along-with-the-flow kind of girl. She just lets Frankie do whatever she wants. I know that doesn't sound like such a great friend, but she had the right intentions. Frankie has a much bigger personality, but she is still such a vulnerable girl underneath all that. And sometimes she does things to get her parents' attention, but it just never works.
I would have given this a 5-star rating. Everything was perfect, but I felt like aside from Anna and Frankie, some of the other more important characters (such as Sam) lacked a bit of development. He played a huge part in Anna's healing, but we don't even really know anything about him except that he works in a smoothie shop.
If you are looking for a love story, then this is not the book for you. This book is a story of overcoming the loss of a loved one, and the consequences of keeping secrets. I had such a heavy heart while reading this book, and even though it did not end on such a high note, I still fell in love with this book. Just prepare yourself for a bit of an emotional ride when you read this.
The story is told in Anna's POV and I really enjoyed the way she told her story. Anna and Frankie are best friends, together with Frankie's brother, Matt. These three were inseparable, but somewhere along the way, Matt and Anna fell in love. They both decide to keep this a secret from Frankie, afraid that she might feel left out and alone. Matt makes Anna promise to not say a word to Frankie, and that he would tell her himself when they go on their summer vacation. And then tragedy strikes, and Matt passes away in a horrible accident.
A year later, Anna goes with Frankie's family on their yearly vacation. This is where the story begins.
Anna and Frankie have such opposing personalities, but somehow they work together. Anna is the go-along-with-the-flow kind of girl. She just lets Frankie do whatever she wants. I know that doesn't sound like such a great friend, but she had the right intentions. Frankie has a much bigger personality, but she is still such a vulnerable girl underneath all that. And sometimes she does things to get her parents' attention, but it just never works.
I would have given this a 5-star rating. Everything was perfect, but I felt like aside from Anna and Frankie, some of the other more important characters (such as Sam) lacked a bit of development. He played a huge part in Anna's healing, but we don't even really know anything about him except that he works in a smoothie shop.
If you are looking for a love story, then this is not the book for you. This book is a story of overcoming the loss of a loved one, and the consequences of keeping secrets. I had such a heavy heart while reading this book, and even though it did not end on such a high note, I still fell in love with this book. Just prepare yourself for a bit of an emotional ride when you read this.