Review: DRIVE by Stephanie Fournet
I have loved everything I’ve read from Stephanie Fournet, and DRIVE did not disa[...]
The Summer My Life Began by Shannon Greenland
Publisher: Speak (imprint of Penguin)
Release Date: May 10, 2012
Format: Advance Reader Copy
Source: Publicist/NetGalley
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Buy: Indiebound | Barnes & Noble | Amazon
Elizabeth Margaret—better known as Em—has always known what life would contain: an internship at her father’s firm, a degree from Harvard and a career as a lawyer. The only problem is that it’s not what she wants. When she gets the opportunity to get away from it all and spend a month with the aunt she never knew, she jumps at the chance. While there, Em pursues her secret dream of being a chef, and she also learns that her family has kept some significant secrets from her, too. And then there’s Cade, the laid-back local surfer boy who seems to be everything Em isn’t. Naturally, she can’t resist him, and as their romance blossoms, Em feels she is living on her own terms for the first time. (Goodreads)
The Summer My Life Began is such a fun read! It’s a wonderful story about self-discovery, being true to yourself, and family. This is the perfect book to read by the pool or on the beach, or if you just need a vacation.
Elizabeth Margaret is living out the plan her parents laid out for her ever since she can remember. She secretly wants to be a chef, but her parents disapprove. When she’s invited to spend the summer in the Outer Banks with an aunt she’s never met, she jumps at the opportunity. She’s relieved for the chance to escape, to take a break from the pressure, and to enjoy one last summer before attending Harvard and eventually becoming a lawyer for her father’s firm. She had no idea that one summer on an island could turn her life upside down.
On the island, Em (her nickname) meets the family she never knew she had – her Aunt Tilly, and her cousin Frederick. She instantly feels at ease with them, but she’s confused about why she was kept from them. Aunt Tilly is a carefree spirit and the complete opposite of her sister, Em’s mother. She also meets Cade, the “sexy loser” surfer boy that she can’t help but feel drawn to…
I really liked Greenland’s descriptions of the island, the town, the Pepper Bed & Breakfast, and not to mention all the food! This story seriously made me fall in love with the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I’ve never been, but it’s now on my must-visit list. The food descriptions were amazing and I wish recipes were included in the story, or that I had taken better notes. I’m not much of a cook myself, but I do appreciate yummy food! I do think the ending wrapped up a little too neatly, but I ate it up.
The Summer My Life Began has all the makings for a great summer read – a great setting, romance, and family secrets – so add it to your to-read list for summer!
Check out Shannon Greenland’s guest post – a recipe and a chance to win an ebook copy of the book for yourself!
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
[…] Greenland Today A Book and a Latte has a special guest, please help me welcome the author of The Summer My Life Began, Shannon […]
Twitter: fakesteph
says:
I love family secrets and romance. Plus this has such a great title! I’m glad you liked it. It looks great.
fakesteph recently posted..The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
Ive never heard of this book but it does sounds fun and an interesting read. Im up for it, will have to add this on my tbr. Great review x<3
Ƹ̴Ӂ̴ƷFICBOOKREVIEWSƸ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ
Lalaine recently posted..The Repossession by Sam Hawksmoor
Twitter: bookandlatte
says:
Don’t forget to check out Shannon Greenland’s guest post to enter the giveaway! Link below :).
Jen recently posted..Blog Tour & Giveaway: The Summer My Life Began by Shannon Greenland
Oh this sounds like a fun read and I have already been over to the guest post. The recipe sounds delish 🙂
Felicia recently posted..Weekly Book Travel Plans (4/30 to 5/6)
This sounds like such a fun read, and I have ALWAYS wanted to visit the Outer Banks! Great review!
Margie recently posted..My Interview on FMMK Blog Talk Radio
Twitter: bookandlatte
says:
Thanks! Don’t forget to check out the guest post to enter the giveaway of the ebook! Link below :).
Jen recently posted..Blog Tour & Giveaway: The Summer My Life Began by Shannon Greenland
Finished this one last night! It was cute. My review goes up Thursday.
Jen
I Read Banned Books – Jen Bigheart recently posted..Texas Library Association Conference – 2012 Wrapup (+Giveaway)
Thanks for the review!
I’m reading this one at the moment, currently half way through and I’m really enjoying it! It’s fun and easy to read, the pages just fly forward. ^^ Great review!
Aleksandra @ Divine Secrets of a Little Bookworm
Aleksandra recently posted..REVIEW: Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout
[…] reviews: I Read Banned Books; Sim Sational Books; A Book & A Latte (and author guest post). Share and […]
Twitter: carinalaura
says:
I found this to be a really enjoyable summer read as well, so I’m glad you liked it! Great review!
Carina @ Fictional Distraction recently posted..Review + Giveaway: Beckoning Light by Alyssa Rose Ivy (Blog Tour Stop)
[…] The Summer My Life Began by Shannon Greenland A fabulous romance with a very unexpected guy . . . The opportunity to explore her love of cooking . . . The freedom to be whomever she wants . . . […]