Thursday, February 27, 2014

Review: The Summer I Found You by Jolene Perry

The Summer I Found You
All they have in common is that they're less than perfect. And all they're looking for is the perfect distraction.
Kate's dream boyfriend has just broken up with her and she's still reeling from her diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Aidan planned on being a lifer in the army and went to Afghanistan straight out of high school. Now he's a disabled young veteran struggling to embrace his new life. When Kate and Aidan find each other neither one wants to get attached. But could they be right for each other after all

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Publishes in US: March 1st 2014 by Albert Whitman Teen
Genre: YA Contemp
Source: Netgalley
Series? No.

Buy it: Amazon IndieBound  Book Depository

Author stalk away: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002038196677
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/JoleneBPerry
Website: http://www.jolenebperry.com/
Blog: http://www.jolenesbeenwriting.blogspot.com/
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4944599.Jolene_B_Perry

 
    I wanted to read The Summer I Found you for several reasons. First, I am drawn to anything about teenage illness and the diabetes caught my attention. Second, I respect vets and those who serve or have served in the military and I love to read about them, so this romance with broken but amazing sounding Aidan sounded like something that I would enjoy his journey to healing and moving on from a life that he never thought would be over so soon. Third, I have read a few of Jolene Perry's other books and enjoyed so given the perfect storm above, it was a no brainer. 
    I really connected with Kate. I think she was described as just this side of weird and that sounds just like me. She ends up blurting out blunt things, sarcastic, awkward things and I do the same. She handles it with more grace than I do, and she found an admirer in Aidan because most people act like the missing arm is a non-issue, and Kate, first time meeting brought it up, asked him questions and even made harmless jokes. And that made him feel more like a person than he has in a long time. But he has other battles--he has nightmares that plague him and he has no idea what he wants for his future moving on. 
    Kate and Aidan had some pretty obvious and immediate chemistry, but there were some concerns with him being so over high school and she is hiding her diabetes because ironically she enjoys that someone doesn't know and doesn't make a big deal out of it. Her parents smother her as she's trying to learn to deal with the disease and she is not the most responsible with it, but I think its because she isn't accepting that this is something that will forever shape her life and interfere even if in minor things. 
    But as Kate and Aidan become friends, they both realize things about themselves and their illness/disability. And they also find a safe outlet, an ease of opening up and the freedom found in comfortable silences, just being with someone. 
    The issues of PTSD are so important to me, because my mom suffers so I really appreciated seeing it dealt with in ya lit. Aidan's struggles are real and hard and she writes that very well. 
    So--as far as title and cover, while lovely, I think that they are somewhat misleading. Because this isn't really the light romance that you would think on first impression. Don't get me wrong, the synopsis does let you know, and I loved what I found inside, just a disclaimer/worth mentioning thing. 
    In the end, Kate's hiding def caught up with her, and I am glad everything she learned through it and that her and Aidan figured it out. 

Bottom Line: Sweet romance with characters I felt for.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you know anyone missing a limb?
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17 comments:

  1. Anyone missing a limb? Does Augustus Waters count? ;)

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  2. I agree the cover is gorgeous, but somewhat misleading, but I'm glad that you were able to find a brilliant read in this book. Lovely review Brandi! :)

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  3. Great review, I haven't read any book by this author and there's definitely nothing wrong with sweet reads. I love the cover!

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  4. I'm really glad I read your review then since it's a bit misleading! But the concept of it does sound great from diabetes (my aunt died from juvenile diabetes) to PTSD. I'm glad that you really enjoyed this one, Brandi!

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  5. I really like the sound of these characters as well and their struggles, problems and that's the reason why I downloaded it from NG, plus the pretty cover just tempts me to no end. Oh, yay! I'm glad to hear that the MC is great and she has sarcastic humour:) Me likes! So happy you enjoyed it as a whole!

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  6. I haven't heard of this before, but it sounds right up my alley. I think I would adore Kate and Aiden as much as you did.

    I have two cousins who've lost a leg. One handled it so awesomely; the other didn't.

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  7. I respect vets as well. My mom is retired Army and I have a lot of uncles who are retired military as well, so a book that deals with some for of the military always catches my attention. I'm glad you found this one enjoyable :)

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

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  8. How funny I'm posting my review today as well, I finished it last night. Idk anyone missing a limb but I do know people with disabilities. Also my husband is in the military, going on 9 years this year. It's crazy he wants to do 30, but I don't like all the traveling.
    I liked this book as well but I liked Aidan better. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

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  9. I noted in my review how timely this story was because of Aidan's struggle. I really enjoyed this book!

    Kate @ Ex Libris

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  10. I am not thrilled about the way the diabetes is handled in this one. I was planning on reading it because I like this author, but now I am backing off.

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  11. I have a friend who suffers diabete, so I know how it is. But I'm not sure I would like to read it in book but maybe, I know I should try books like that, I just sometimes prefer them more joyous.

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  13. This sounds like a great read, and I just adore the cover. Glad you enjoyed it.

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  14. I really wanted to like The Summer I Found You but I have so many issues with this book. I found it so aggravating that I almost DNF'd it. I wish I could've connected with it like you did but I didn't. Plus I totally don't understand the title because it doesn't even take place in the summer. Still, I really enjoyed reading your review.

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  15. Kate and Aidan sound like interesting characters. It sounds like the book deals with important issues while having characters you can really care about. Nice review, glad you liked this one!

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  16. When I first saw this book, I was intrigued. I do realy enjoy reading contemporary novels every now and then. They do break up the mold. So glad you enjoyed it!

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