Review: Second Chance Summer

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 480
Published: May 8, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Fiction, Young Adult

My Rating: 4.5/5

Summary (from chapters.ca):

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.

Review:

Imagine knowing that the end of your summer will change your life in a way that you never imagined nor ever wanted.  How would you spend each day?  Would you hang on to every minute or will it to go as fast as possible and get it over with?

First off, this book was a sobfest.  I knew that going in but it didn't prepare me for the amount of 'ugly crying' that I would endure while reading it.  So, please take warning... a box of kleenex and some seclusion may be necessary while reading this!

Yes; this book is young adult. 
Yes; it deals with a situation that I am not familiar with. 
No; it doesn't matter at all.

Second Chance Summer brought me back to a time in my life that I remember with such fondness.  Remember the days when school ended and you knew that life would be nothing but endless fun and happiness until the end of August?  That is the exact feeling that I got while reading.

Taylor was the perfect main character.  So affected by what was going on with her father and yet able to make the most of her summer.  As I read, I found that I related to her more and more.  Being social awkward and dealing with past demons is something that, I believe, will hit home with most of the readers.  Pushing through the past and makeing the best of bad situations made Taylor stand out as a true heroine in my opinion... a character perfect for the young adults in which she was written.

Overall, a sad story that will touch the hearts of all who read.  A story that shows it's never too late to make a first impression.