23299562

The Summer After You and Me by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

published on May 1st 2015 by Sourcebooks Fire
young adult | contemporary | romance

find the book on
Goodreads

Sunbathing, surfing, eating funnel cake on the boardwalk—Lucy loves living on the Jersey Shore. For her, it’s not just the perfect summer escape, it is home. And as a local girl, she knows not to get attached to the tourists. They breeze in over Memorial Day weekend, crowding the shore and stealing moonlit kisses, only to pack up their beach umbrellas and empty promises on Labor Day. Lucy wants more from love than a fleeting romance, even if that means keeping her distance from her summertime neighbor and crush, Connor.

Then Superstorm Sandy tears apart her barrier island, briefly bringing together a local girl like herself and a vacationer like Connor. Except nothing is the same in the wake of the storm. And day after day, week after week, Lucy is left to pick up the pieces of her broken heart and broken home. Now with Memorial Day approaching and Connor returning, will it be a summer of fresh starts or second chances?

s-

*I received a digital review copy for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

REVIEW

*Please note that everything in this review is from me. This is what I think would go down if Lucy was real and I got the chance to talk to her.

Ladies and gentlemen, today I’m here to interview the main character of The Summer After You And Me, Lucy! *insert applause and possibly some groaning here*

Me: How was your experience with Superstorm Sandy? I expect that you were devastated when you heard about it, and that you probably panicked like crazy, correct? I want me some good ‘ole destruction.

Lucy: Pshaw. The storm was nothing. Sort of just like a breeze that passed by.

Me: *scratches head* Honestly, since it was a big part of your synopsis I wanted it to play a bigger role in your story. But hey, you’re the protagonist. Okay then… Let’s talk about something else. Tell me more about Connor. I hear he has a lot of “conquests.” How do you feel about that?

Lucy: Connor is, like, so hot and attractive. Sure, I’m totes jealous of all the girls he’s been with, but he always tells me that I’m the one for him. And I believe him! Duh.

Me: *whispers to the audience* This girl is a nut job. Someone get me out of here! *coughs and turns back to Lucy* Don’t you think you’re thinking about him a little too much? What about your boyfriend (who’s an absolute sweetheart)? If you don’t want him, I’ll take him from you.

Lucy: I love my boyfriend! I won’t cheat on him ever… but I can’t stop thinking about Connor! What should I do?

Me: For the love of God, woman! Get a grip on yourself. Why not try to fix your family issues with your brother before thinking about getting it on with him, eh?

Lucy: Family?! But my brother Liam’s always such a jackass to me. He never supports me and he always ignores me. He’s such a shit.

Me:

Me: By the way, I totally agree that your brother’s a shit. But the last 10% of your book was good. If only the entire book was that way. THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT.

The gist of it is that this book had your typical girl-with-a-boyfriend-can’t-get-over-her-sexy-crush storyline. Apparently, for Lucy, guy issues trump all family members and/or a storm that could potentially destroy her house. And this book gave me a migraine.

pagebreak

Skulls 1.5

1.5 skulls

pagebreak

Sooo… Any plans of reading this book? Have you read it yourself?

Liked this review? You also find it on Goodreads.
Liked this post? Follow us on Bloglovin’.

…

About Aimee
Aimee loves being a little bookworm (okay–she doesn’t like being little). She also loves chocolates and sweets but is freaked out by the thought of possibly getting diabetes.Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram | all of Aimee’s posts →

Published by aimee can read

I'm a 24-year-old bookworm from the Philippines. I talk about fantasy, sci-fi, and romance novels.

43 thoughts on “Review: The Summer After You and Me by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski / “Boys Matter More Than Family””

  2. Yikes. Lucy sounds swell. This is also basically the best review I have ever read. It told me everything I need to know, and made my diet coke come out of my nose, so yes, you win. I think I am going to pass on this book, because I think I would need to physically hurt Lucy by the end soooo… yeah.

    Like

    Reply

  3. Let me just say, I freaking loveee this. Like, LOVE this. As Shannon said, this is like the best review ever. Lucy sounds like a character that would anger me so much I’d want to stab myself in the eye with needles. Ugh. I’m so sorry you had to deal with her.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Either would work. ;) Right? And it would make sense if the guy’s actually decent. But this one? He had all his “conquests” and wasn’t even the least bit regretful about it.

      Like

      Reply

  8. Your review was creative and terrific. I especially liked it because it was such a contrast to the positive review I read right before I came over here. I think this has too much drama for my taste and I am burned out on YA right now, so I think I am going to pass.

    Like

    Reply

  9. Totally agree with everything you say!!!! I hated how much Lucy said she would never cheat on Connor. I mean, COME ON!!!!! Andrew was so sweet.

    I was also so annoyed that this “moment” between Connor and Lucy took so long to come to pass. If it was such a big moment, why wasn’t there a Prologue which would have adequately set the scene?

    And, yeah, she was a jerk to her brother. :(

    Like

    Reply

  13. I LOVE SNARKY AIMEE! This Lucy sounds like she wants her cake and to eat it too. I nearly spat my drink out at ‘Why not try to fix your family issues with your brother before thinking about getting it on with him, eh?’ That sounds like she’s trying to get it on with her brother as well, which doesn’t surprise me actually. It’s a pity they weren’t all swept away in that breeze. Sorry this one didn’t work for you Aimee, although I’m not surprised. It wouldn’t be my thing either. Fabulous and creative review poppet <3

    Like

    Reply

    1. LOL, thank you, Kelly Bear. ;)
      Bahaha! Bad wording on my part, I guess. xD She and her brother had a horrible relationship and it was just sad.
      That would’ve been a much better outcome, I suppose.

      Like

      Reply

  14. Ahah I like the way you wrote this one. It really gets your thoughts about the book across. I’m not really interested in the book based on the summary, so your review definitely has me not wanting to read this one. I think Lucy would drive me a bit insane.

    -Lauren
    http://www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com

    Like

    Reply

  15. Haha I love how you did your review, the style is pretty unique & it told me everything about this book. I have this from netgalley, but I have putted it off for months now.. Lucy sound a bit boy crazy and coco.. Doesn’t sound like it would be for me – thank you for the creative review Aimee, it made me laugh :)

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Benish! ;) I requested this via NG as well since I loved one of the author’s previous books, and now I’m just plain disappointed. :/

      Like

      Reply

  17. W O W

    And this right here is why I generally stay away from the romance contemporary side of YA because I feel like the stories are so centred on romance or hot flushes or whatever that everything else just takes a back seat.

    I LOATHE cheating of any kind, so I’m pretty sure I’d hate this book. I don’t know if cheating actually occurs but it sounds like Lucy doesn’t treat her boyfriend all that well so *glares*

    Also: family is important. Also: natural disasters are awful and have longlasting effects.

    I am staying away from this book 100%

    Great review, lovely <3

    Like

    Reply

    1. There wasn’t cheating here physically, but it’s the thought that counts, right? Jesus, she should have just broken up with her super sweet boyfriend instead of hurting him like that. :/
      Yes and yes. I totally agree.
      Thanks, Chiara! <3

      Like

      Reply

  18. Oh no! Only 1.5 stars? I have this ARC, and now I don’t feel like reading it at all – and knowing there is cheating just made me mad. I hate cheating – there really is no excuse! It’s better to be alone than to be an arse like that.
    I hope your next read was much better, Aimee.

    Like

    Reply

    1. There wasn’t any cheating physically actually. It was just that Lucy constantly thought of Connor even when she had a boyfriend. >_<

      Like

      Reply

  19. Oh my gosh, Sany really wasn’t a biggie for this girl? She definitely needs help. I loved this little character dialogue thing you got going on. It was so funny. I think this book would drive me insane if i tried to read it.

    Like

    Reply
  20. Pingback: Weekly Recap #2: Library Books, Plays and Blog Updates | Deadly Darlings

  21. Well this was a really enjoyable review, even if the book you reviewed didn’t end up being enjoyable at all. Lucy seems like a character who is really frustrating and wouldn’t get along with me, were I to read this. It’s actually interesting that a. The storm does seem to play a big part in the synopsis but apparently doesn’t in the story itself, and b. Lucy isn’t even mentioned as having a boyfriend. HUM.
    Hope your next read is marvellous, Aimee! And great review! Xx

    Like

    Reply

    1. Haha, thanks, Romi! :) I was definitely frustrated with the story and the lack of the storm in the book. And I guess he wasn’t mentioned because there wasn’t any *physical* cheating involved…
      Thanks dear! <3

      Like

      Reply

Leave a reply to shannonmiz Cancel reply