Series: Nantucket Blue #1
Published by Disney Hyperion on May 7th 2013
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher
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For Cricket Thompson, a summer like this one will change everything. A summer spent on Nantucket with her best friend, Jules Clayton, and the indomitable Clayton family. A summer when she’ll make the almost unattainable Jay Logan hers. A summer to surpass all dreams.
Some of this turns out to be true. Some of it doesn’t.
When Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy that forces the girls apart, Jules becomes a stranger whom Cricket wonders whether she ever really knew. And instead of lying on the beach working on her caramel-colored tan, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise for the summer.
But it’s the things Cricket hadn’t counted on--most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits--that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality.
A beautiful future is within her grasp, and Cricket must find the grace to embrace it. If she does, her life could be the perfect shade of Nantucket blue.
This debut promises to be the perfect beach read and lots of swoon worthy romance. The cover delivers a perfect beach feeling and the blurb sounds like we need to be prepared to swoon..
Summer in Nantucket
Cricket was excited when her best friend Jules invited her to spend the summer with her family. But when tragedy comes to Jules family, Cricked is not welcome anymore. But Cricked dreamed about Nantucket for so long that she’s determined to stay there on her own!
This summer turns out to be completely different!
Cricket – my girl with the beautiful heart!
I loved loved LOOOOVED Cricket! She was beautifully real and such an incredible genuine character. When Jules her best friends turns away from away because she s full of grief, Cricket is not giving up on her even though Jules hurts he badly. But Cricket is just a wonderful soft hearted and loyal friend that I fell deeply in love with her.
Even more, Cricket finds herself in some awkward moments, but all those moments just felt so real, like it could have been us not having always the perfect retort or behaving utterly girls and then being embarrassed afterwards.
Family, Friendship and Romance
Nantucket Blue had the perfect combination of family, friendship and romance beautifully melted together for this perfect summer read. The romance was also something absolutely outstanding in my point of view. It was slow, but the chemistry was unmistakable and there were also some sizzling moments! Also, the romance absolutely surprised me and dealed with something not many authors dare to address! I loved this so freaking much and just like all the rest of the book, also the romance felt wonderfully genuine.
(For those who want to be spoiled: The romance has a similar approach than what we find in Wendy Higgins “Flirting with Maybe”)
Bewitched Rating
Bottom Line
Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland surprised me with its deepness and incredibly real characters. The story mashed family, friendship and romance beautifully together and creates a real story that will fill your heart, makes you cry and laugh at some awkward moments!
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This sounds like a really good read when I want something cute and swoon-worthy. 🙂 Thanks!
Anahera recently posted..Review 10: Hogfather (Terry Pratchett)
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Danny, you seemed to have enjoyed this one a little more than I did. I do agree that this book is a really fun summer read, but it wasn’t memorable for me at all. The last half of the plot lacked for me, and I wasn’t the biggest fan of the romance. I can totally see where you’re coming from though! Lovely review. 🙂
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Ah you know how it can be Jen… I think I just read it at the exactly perfect moment for me and I really did love it. But I see why you might not perfectly enjoy the romance… I’m sure it’s not for everyone 🙂
Danny recently posted..Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
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“Nantucket Blue had the perfect combination of family, friendship and romance beautifully melted together for this perfect summer read.” I couldn’t have said it better myself! I loved the way all of those elements blended together and I really felt like the book just felt so REAL. It felt really realistic to me and that it wasn’t following any sort of “YA contemp template” or something, you know?
Anyway, great review! I really enjoyed this one as well 🙂
Brittany @ The Book Addict’s Guide recently posted..Nantucket Blue Blog Tour
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I loved how different especially the romance was and I CANNOT wait for the next book!!!
Danny recently posted..Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
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“Also, the romance absolutely surprised me and dealed with something not many authors dare to address!”
I wanted to read this one prior to reading your review since we’ve talked a bit about it, but after the above I am DYING to get my hands on it! I want to know what surprised you about this relationship! I think a run to the bookstore is in order today….
Jenny recently posted..Waiting on Wednesday + Giveaway: Shudder
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I LOVED the romance even though it was not the prominent part. This book deals with more than just love, but still when it finally happened I LOVED it as I didn’t see it coming and I cannot wait to talk to you about this!!
Danny recently posted..Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
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I’m just not sure this one is for me but I know a couple of my students will adore it! I do like the idea of summer (SOON? PLEASE?) and, of course, I do love a good love/friendship story. YAY for Cricket and awesome characters who really speak to us!
Mary @ BookSwarm recently posted..DARE YOU TO by Katie McGarry Tour, Mini-Review and Giveaway
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Give it a try!!! Maybe you can put the book on your desk again for your students hehe :)) Seriously love this story :))
Danny recently posted..Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
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I was already intrigued about this one, but now I am even more excited 🙂 This one looks rad!
Erica recently posted..The Program by Suzanne Young Book Review + Giveaway
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I have this on this months pile of books. I’m really looking forward to it as I’ve been craving a good summery read. I’m glad you really enjoyed it!
Candace recently posted..Blog Tour: Interview with Emily from The Girl with the Iron Touch by Kady Cross & Give@way!
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Oh, it sounds good! I have it on my ereader and wasn’t sure I would love it, but it sounds exactly like what I need now : a light beach read with a lot of heart and a touch of complexity. I’m pretty sure it’s the next one I’ll be reading now!
kay recently posted..Review : The Lives We Lost by Megan Crewe
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This sounds like such a gorgeous story. I really want to read it even more now!
Lori recently posted..Review: Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter
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Next one, you say? Wait? Could it be this is going to be a series??? I was hoping we’d get to see what happened when school started but I thought this was a stand alone.
I loved this one, too! Everything just clicked for me. God did I feel sorry for Cricket, but she really doesn’t let you feel that way for her. I avoided your review until I wrote mine. But we match. Whew!
Heather
Heather @ Buried in Books recently posted..Blog Tour: Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland Review and Giveaway
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