September Girls by Bennett Madison
When Sam's dad whisks him and his brother off to a remote beach town for the summer, he's all for it-- at first. Sam soon realizes, though, that this place is anything but ordinary. Time seems to slow down around here, and everywhere he looks, there are beautiful blond girls. Girls who seem inexplicably drawn to him.
Then Sam meets DeeDee, one of the Girls, and she's different from the others. Just as he starts to fall for her, she pulls away, leaving him more confused than ever. He knows that if he's going to get her back, he'll have to uncover the secret of this beach and the girls who live here.
Publishes in US: May 21st 2013 by HarperTeen
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source: Harper Teen via Edelweiss
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What I Liked: I liked the sense of family on Sam's side. The interactions and conversations with his brother and Dad really felt realistic.
The setting was also well done. I felt the descriptions were well done and made me feel part of the scenery and story.
The pain and set up of Sam's mom and her abandonment. I think that a lot can relate with the theme and feelings or knows someone who could. Sam is a deep character in a lot of regards and emotional in others. Caught up in his hurt and anger and I think that is what connected him.
What I didn't like: The stream of though and the "we" mentality from the girls at the beginning. I understand but it still didn't sit well with me.
I also didn't like the way that Sam thought about girls at first. It seemed really demeaning to me, and I don't know if I am just sensitive or read at a time when self esteem is low, but I really hope that is not how guys think about girls. There was (to me) too much talk of sexual aspects and cursing--I can handle some, but not when it seems over the top.
Great review! When reading the blurb I was thinking it sounded good, but what you didn't like in the novel I certainly wouldn't either!
ReplyDeleteKelley Lee of Reading to Stay Alive
Great review! When reading the blurb I was thinking it sounded good, but what you didn't like in the novel I certainly wouldn't either!
ReplyDeleteKelley Lee of Reading to Stay Alive
Great review! When reading the blurb I was thinking it sounded good, but what you didn't like in the novel I certainly wouldn't either!
ReplyDeleteKelley Lee of Reading to Stay Alive
I was about to comment on your review, but my eyes were drawn to your 2013 reading challenge list. You've already read 69 books since January? You are amazing! I'll bet you reach double your goal.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I have had lots of travel time
DeleteI don' think I'd like Sam at all, and from the negative reviews I've read of this I will be sure to stay clear of it. Thanks for the honest review!
ReplyDeleteAw, hate to negatively influence... Just wasn't for me.
DeleteGreat review. It's the first time I've come across the title, but it doesn't sound like my sort of read
ReplyDeleteI got this from Edelweiss as well but am so nervous about the language now as I've read some other negative assessments of the way Sam thinks about girls. I'm very sensitive to that and it can make it impossible for me to finish a book.
ReplyDeleteI may have just been in a mood, but if others agree
DeleteThanks for your comments. and i agree with you.
Deletebook marketing
I agree with you, that can really turn me off too when a guy in a book has crappy thoughts about women in general. Misogyny is definitely a turn off =(
ReplyDeleteHmmm...Now I'm really intrigued by this book. I have it on my reader, but I really don't know anything about it.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would enjoy this very much. It's hard to when the MC thinks and behaves the way Sam does. I think I will stay away from the one. Thanks for sharing your thought on it.
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever
There have been so many disappointing reviews for this which I'm quite bummed about, as the premise was what grabbed my attention in the first place. Sorry Septmeber Girls didn't work out for you Brandi, I think I might still give this a try!
ReplyDeleteI know, sad that it disappoints. I liked the premise too
DeleteSounds like there were some pretty interesting character developments, its a shame that this wasn't all you'd hoped it would be.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your review of this one. It was on my to-read list, but I'm not so sure that I want to read it now. A lot of the things you listed that you didn't enjoy, I don't feel like I would enjoy either. I really appreciate it! Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.
ReplyDeleteThat's disappointing. :( I'm sorry that you didn't really care for the characters, and I'm sorry that Sam grated on you. Hopefully your next read will be better. (:
ReplyDeleteThanks. Sam and I just didn't have a good day
DeleteOh too bad. I don't think I would have liked Sam either. It does seem negative. Oh well... hopefully the next will be so much better.
ReplyDeleteThe overall theme of the story seems good, but I've seen a lot of mixed reviews for September Girls. I think it's definitely not the book for everyone.
ReplyDeleteNIce review, Brandi!
I thnk you are right.
DeleteI rarely see such low ratings from you, and the other reviewers seem to agree: there are simply far too many bad elements for it to work. I think I'll pass.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review.
I am usually pretty good at choosing what I'll like and not
DeleteJust ok, nope not for me
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad this one wasn't better. I remember people wanting this one at ALA but I hadn't really heard much (if anything) about it. I guess it's one I'll probably want to pass up anyway.
ReplyDeleteThe cover and the premise got me
DeleteI'm glad to learn that you like the setting even though you're not happy with the thoughts going on inside Sam's head. Thanks for the honest review, Brandi!
ReplyDeleteThe setting was nice.
DeleteI love books with realistic representations of family and settings, but Sam sounds like he could be a frustrating character to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your honest thoughts! :)
The family aspect was done realistically and I liked that
DeleteSam - sounds like a d-bag... I hope the girls put him in his place when he's being a jerk about it.
ReplyDeleteI have been hearing very mixed things about this one, not sure I will give it a go. Thanks for the honest review!
ReplyDeleteTeresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives
I am curious about the girls, thinking they might be mermaids, especially as they have a "pack" mentality but yeah, if I can't get behind the main character, it's gonna be hard to like the character. Wonder why the author wrote him like that? Think I'll pass, too many awesome books to read. Great review!
ReplyDeleteHeather
I'm planning on reading this one soon. Sorry it was just okay. Stream of thought is a hard style to achieve and do it successfully. I don't know many that even try, lol! Thanks for the honest review!
ReplyDeleteI just don't mesh with that style to begin with
DeleteOh dear, plenty of people didn't like this book either. I recently read a really negative review of it, and then I read yours, so I don't think I'll be giving September Girls a go. While I like how the author was able to convey emotions across easily, and how the setting appeared realistic, forced teenage voices ALWAYS pull the book down. Not forgetting Sam's thoughts about girls. Bleh.
ReplyDeleteThanks for such an honest and helpful review, Brandi. :)
Thanks, I hate being negative but want to be honest too
DeleteI keep seeing low reviews for this one and I"m hovering over if I'm going to give it a shot later on down the road. I'm rather curious as to why everyone is not that impressed though so I might just out of 'morbid curiosity'.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet cover it's a shame. I must say that from your points I'll avoid this book like a pledge. Really sounds frustrating and I hate when there is too much cursing. Great review :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen many reviews of this one, I love the cover and I was really interested in having a book with a male narrator. Disappointing that the book wasn't a win for your you. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteKristin @ Young Adult Book Haven
First time I see this book, but I don't think I would like the way that Sam thought about girls either. Maybe not for me.
ReplyDeleteThere was no question here. This does sound like an interesting story, it might be the paranormal aspect about it. Too bad it didn't live up to it.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard about this one before and think I will skip it. When they go overboard on things like cursing/sex for no reason - just to put it there - it's a turn off for me.
ReplyDelete- Jessica @ Book Sake
I have an ARC of this one, and I do love the cover, but if you dislike a book, I know it's not for me. I'm definitely skipping this one. I think the "we" mentality would piss me off. Great review, thanks for your honesty!
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