Book: Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
Pages: 468
Genre: Young Adult, Romance
Source: Library
Short Synopsis: Taylor's family goes back to their old lake house one more time, as her father struggles with illness.
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this novel. The characters grow on you, making you devour the story, and wanting to know more.
Taylor Edwards’ family might not be the closest-knit—everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled—but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor’s dad gets devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend one last summer all together at their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains.
Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend…and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.
As the summer progresses and the Edwards become more of a family, they’re more aware than ever that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance—with family, with friends, and with love.
--From Goodreads
Taylor Edwards isn't too thrilled with the family's summer plans as they decide to return to their old lake house, but has no choice but to go. As she and her family return to their old summer lake house, she relives memories of past events, and is thrust back into the world with her former boyfriend and best friend, which she did not leave on good terms with.
As Taylor continues the summer at the lake house, she manages to get a job, and a dog that continues to follow her around and thinks he lives at the house. For the most part, Taylor tries to ignore her ex-boyfriend, Henry, but they keep running into each other. As Taylor's summer is played out, she manages to come to terms with her former best friend and ex boyfriend, as well as trying to manage the inevitable fate of her father.
A bit lengthy, I enjoyed this sad novel as we discover what Taylor goes through with loss and acceptance. Second Chance Summer is all about do overs, and coming together as a family. When it comes to her own problems, Taylor is shy and not really all that independent as she tends to run away from her problems. But as the summer continues, she learns to face her problems, and that sometimes all it just takes is an apology.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters, and the family as a whole. And though the dog wasn't part of the family in the beginning, it was cute and sweet how everyone became attached and how Murphy the dog finally did become one of them in the end.
I wasn't to thrilled with how Taylor always seemed to run away from everything. Her past issues with her former best friend and boyfriend were definitely not the right reaction to deal with things. And Taylor's ex-boyfriend seemed pretty forgiving of Taylor, at least three times. When things got tough, Taylor seemed to run to pushing people away as a solution and made things a bit awkward. In general, a very touching, heart warming story about loss and acceptance.
Would I recommend this book: Yes
Rating: I give this book a 4/5.
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