So if you’re looking for a book to throw across the room, this is the one. No, not because it’s a horrible book. In fact, Second Chance Summer is a really great, light summer read. It still made me sob and angry because sometimes characters can be so stupid. (Just saying!) But I loved it!

The first thing I loved is how Morgan Matson tells the story – why Taylor, the MC, didn’t want to return to Lake Phoenix in the first place – by going back a little at a time in between chapters to when she was 12, and what happened between her and her best friends, and why she didn’t go back for five years. I kept wanting to read more chapters about when she was 12 so I could figure out what horrible things she did that made her closest friends, Henry and Lucy, hate her so much.

Then, once that semi-problem was solved, there was her dad. The whole reasons she and her family returned to Lake Phoenix was to spend their last summer with her dad, who had Stage 4 Cancer. The whole book I kept getting know her dad, and I loved him. His puns, his understanding ways, and when he takes Taylor out for ice cream behind her mom’s back. I loved the way he loved his work and was dedicated to work, but still made time for each of his kids. In fact, he reminded me of my own dad. (Who made time with me by helping set up this blog. Points for dad!)

I liked how the setting was generally around the same place, and how everything sort of clicked back into place in the end. Taylor learns even with obstacles she must face and her biggest fears becoming real, you have to face them headstrong and not run away from them. The whole premise of the book was a very clear message and intriguing plot. I loved it!

So this was a great summer read! (Even though I went through half a roll of toilet paper. We were out of tissues.) You’ve been warned: “light” summer reads doesn’t mean they can make you cry… but go read it, okay? Seriously! I LOVED IT. Okay now stop reading this. Go pick up that book. Now.