Summary: A gorgeous debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another
The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.
"A summer romance with depth." —The Boston Sunday Globe
"Fitzpatrick's excellent first novel movingly captures the intensity of first love." —Publishers Weekly, starred review
"On par with authors such as Sarah Dessen and Deb Caletti." —SLJ
My favorite quote:
My REVIEW: FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC!! That is the only way to describe this book! The characters, the plot, the romance, the emotion, the tension, the writing, EVERYTHING about this book was incredible! This book made me smile like a doofus (even at times when I wasn't supposed to) .It reminded me of the reason I like YA books in the first place. It was different from the other book I have read. Where can I even start with how much I loved this book? How much it took me surprise, grabbed my heart, and wouldn't let go? This is NOTHING like your average YA Book! It's still sweet and funny and brilliant. But I thought I had a good guess to what the huge plot twist would be, and boy was I wrong! I didn't expect it at all, which doesn't happen with me and contemporaries very often. And the cast — I loved every single character (well, almost all) ! They were all so perfectly, brilliantly, wonderfully written. There's Sam, who I ached for, because she grows up with the pressure to be perfect from a mother who doesn't know the definition of fun. Then there's Jase, and God, I loved him so much! ♥ He wears a leather jacket, drives a motorcycle, and is the boy next door... but he is undoubtedly the SWEETEST book boy I've ever met. Ever. I'm not even kidding! I mean I was already planning our wedding before the book was over (yes that is how awesome he is) . Then there's the Garrett family. Oh my gosh. They are just a gust of fresh air. I loved all of them from head to toe especially George. Oh my gosh George. I wanted to take him right out of the book and adopt him as my own.George is Jase's adorable 4-year-old brother who watches too way much Discovery Channel for his or anyone else's good. The only reason this book isn't going too get 5 stars is because I didn't feel like the ending covered everything. True when I finshed the book I was all warm inside, but after I really thought about I still had a few questions. BUT FEAR NOT, I hear that there is now a second book. Sadly it does not center around Sam and Jase, but it is still the same "world" but Sam and Jase are still in the book.
I give this book 4.8 out of 5 stars.
