Review: Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

"Don't worry, Anna. I'll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."

"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won't say anything?"
"Don't worry." I laughed. "It's our secret, right?"

According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy ever day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

Beautifully written and emotionally honest, this is a debut novel that explores what it truly means to love someone and what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.

Review:

I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to pick up Twenty Boy Summer- it was amazing! Heartbreaking and emotional, funny and sweet, Twenty Boy Summer had everything a 5 star book should. Anna was a great main character. Her narration added a lot to the story, and her on the nose descriptions of everything transported me into the novel- especially to Zanzibar Bay. The details in this book were fantastic, I could picture everything and everyone. I loved the characters as well. Frankie, Matt, Sam, Aunt Jayne, Uncle Red… so many great characters that experienced so much in just under 300 pages.

There was so much feeling in this book, I could tell Sarah Ockler put her all into it. Twenty Boy Summer was emotional; death, loss, sorrow, friendship, love, family, it was all a part of the terrific book known as Twenty Boy Summer. I can’t believe this is Ockler’s debut novel! Unfortunately I started reading it when I was studying for finals, so I could only read it at a few stolen minutes away from the textbooks, but I know if I could have I would have read it straight through. I was pulled in from the first page, and when I finally turned the last page I re-read the last few pages a couple times, soaking it all in. I’m going to definitely recommend this to all my friends.

Twenty Boy Summer showed the ripple effect- how one thing can change/affect the lives of so many people. Sarah Ockler explores the heart break and pain that binds two people together and creates a memorable set of characters and thoughtful plot. I definitely think this is a must read for every girl, and it shows the strong bond that only strengthens in time between two best friends. The ending definitely left me wanting more, but it was as the ending should be, and a sequel isn’t necessary although I would still love to hear more about Anna, Frankie, and everyone else.

Once you read it, you’ll better understand the title, it perfectly suits the novel. The cover does as well, and ohmygod do I love this cover. It’s gorgeous. Sea glass is something my family also collects, and I love the heart set against the boardwalk planks. You’ll also better understand the significance of that one piece of red sea glass in the heart of blue. It’s such a small detail, but means so much. Although this was released last year, it will definitely be at the top of my favorite 2010 reads list. I’m anxious to read more by Sarah Ockler! Definitely go pick up a copy of Twenty Boy Summer today, it’s a story that will stick in your head long after you’ve turned the last page, and the cover is a gorgeous addition to anyone’s collection!

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

June 1, 2009/Little, Brown BFYR/290 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Trade

Other books by this author: Fixing Delilah