Book:  Moonglass
Author:  Jessi Kirby
Release date:  May 3, 2011
Publisher:  Simon & Schuster
Pages:  224
Source:  Publisher

I read once that water is a symbol for emotions. And for a while now, I’ve thought maybe my mother drowned in both.

Anna’s life is upended when her father accepts a job transfer the summer before her junior year. It’s bad enough that she has to leave her friends and her life behind, but her dad is moving them to the beach where her parents first met and fell in love- a place awash in memories that Anna would just as soon leave under the surface.

While life on the beach is pretty great, with ocean views and one adorable lifeguard in particular, there are also family secrets that were buried along the shore years ago. And the ebb and flow of the ocean’s tide means that nothing- not the sea glass that she collects on the sand and not the truths behind Anna’s mother’s death- stays buried forever.

Jessi Kirby’s debut novel is a must-read for summer.  That gorgeous cover drew me to it but the story is what really got me.  It’s a heartbreaking story of love, loss, and finally learning how to live again.

Anna Ryan does not like the way her life is going.  Moving back to the beach where her parents met is not a good idea, in her opinion.  Too bad her opinion doesn’t matter.  As soon as Anna and her dad get settled in in their new town things start to get complicated.  First off Anna starts to fall for a guy who just happens to be off limits to her.  And then Anna starts to get drawn into the secrets of her mom’s past.  She can’t let her death rest and if she keeps digging it just might tear apart every relationship she has.

I really enjoyed Anna’s character.  Her emotions were all over the place (I can relate) and most of the time she cracked me up.  She had some very witty comebacks and her banter with Tyler was cute.  Her friend Ashley was also hilarious.  She was so clueless.  It was cute.  And OMG a sexy, sweet lifeguard?  Such a perfect summer crush!  =)

The story is not all romance and beaches though.  The history of the abandoned cottages of the cove was so sad.  The story of Anna’s mom’s death and what led up to it was also heartbreaking and very real.  I enjoyed this book so much because of the meaning to it.  I will give you fair warning though:  you might need some tissues.  I did.

Overall, Moonglass is a perfect fun summer read with a lot of heart.  It’s also blurbed by Sarah Dessen.  What more could you want?

First line:  Rain and wind pelted the ocean’s surface so hard it looked like it was boiling.

Rating:  A

Cover:  A++