Quickie Review: Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Second Chance Summer | Morgan Matson | Simon and Schuster | Stand Alone | 5 Stars | Source: Bought | 468 pages | Young Adult | Contemporary
Release Date: May 8th, 2012
Goodreads

Goodreads Synopsis:

Taylor Edwards’ family might not be the closest-knit—everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled—but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor’s dad gets devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend one last summer all together at their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend…and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses and the Edwards become more of a family, they’re more aware than ever that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance—with family, with friends, and with love

Review:

This is not the first of Morgan Matson’s novels I have read. I read Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour back in 2011 and I absolutely loved it. I feel in love with Matson’s writing style. There is something about it that just makes a whole story flow. It took me just over a day to finish this novel. I loved it so much and just as much as her first!

I was not a huge fan of Taylor or any of the ladies in this for that matter. I completely understand them and their actions because the situation they were in added a lot of tension to the bonds in the family. I was a fan of the relationships, though. It is obvious that Taylor has done something wrong when she gets to the lake house. She left a lot of hurt behind and seeing her slowly but surely deal with that, definitely added to her character development. Also, seeing the whole family together for the sake of their father was beautiful.

Just a quick note on the father, he was definitely my favourite character. He is you typical daddy with horrific puns and jokes. It makes him so endearing. Also seeing how he changes throughout the summer with regards to his illness, although it was harrowing, it was so well done. I think the whole concept of death and the effect it has on the whole family was portrayed well and true to many family situations!

Overall, this is an immensely beautiful contemporary. With many themes including family, death and reconciliation, I think this is the perfect contemporary read. It shows that every moment counts and all the effort is worth it in the end!

Goodreads Average: 4.13/5 stars (out of 13, 080 ratings)

Want to buy it? Amazon UK | Amazon US | The Book Depository 

 

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My Thoughts On Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunter Chronicles, Sequels and Prequels

Is Cassandra Clare going too far?

With two New York Times Best Selling series under her belt (The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices), The Dark Artifices coming in 2015 and talks of a new series (update: it has now been confirmed) set two decades after The Infernal Devices called The Last Hours, some people are beginning to say that Clare is bleeding the Shadowhunter world dry and taking it for what it is worth.

Talks like have resided on the internet ever since The Mortal Instruments was extended from a trilogy to a six books series and have becomes increasingly abundant since the announcement of The Dark Artifices.

What do I think of this matter? Is Cassandra Clare taking The Shadowhunter Chronicles too far by creating so many books set in that very world? In short, No.

If Cassandra Clare can create a world that is so profound and imaginative that she can get four or forty series out of it, good for her. Long may she reign and long may she write. As long as she keeps writing great books day in and day out, I will keep buying.

On the other hand, I do understand some people scepticism. When a series grows from three books to six, essentially doubling it and then adding a prequel and a sequel series, it will ignite the cynic in many of us. It had that effect on me before I read the series.

I am a huge fan of the series so for now I don’t mind that Clare has quite a lot to write in the shadowhunting world. I don’t know about any of you guys, but or me it will be a sad day when Clare leaves the Shadowhunter world behind.