Title: Nantucket Blue
Author: Leila Howland
Release date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 304
Source: ALA
Reading level: YA
Challenge(s): YA Contemporary, Debut Author
For Cricket Thompson, a summer like this one will change everything. A summer spent on Nantucket with her best friend, Jules Clayton, and the indomitable Clayton family. A summer when she’ll make the almost unattainable Jay Logan hers. A summer to surpass all dreams.
Some of this turns out to be true. Some of it doesn’t.
When Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy that forces the girls apart, Jules becomes a stranger whom Cricket wonders whether she ever really knew. And instead of lying on the beach working on her caramel-colored tan, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise for the summer.
But it’s the things Cricket hadn’t counted on–most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits–that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality.
Nantucket Blue is probably the most perfect summer read I’ve read in quite some time. There’s the perfect mix of fluff and romance but there’s also some deeper stuff lurking just below the surface.
I’ll start off by saying that while Nantucket Blue was the perfect summer read, I wouldn’t call it the perfect read in general. It had it’s flaws and it did let me down in a few areas but if you’re looking for a quick, fun beach read, this is definitely one I’d pick. The setting is the wonderful island of Nantucket (which I want to visit now.) There are boys in swimsuits, girls in bikinis, late night boat rides, and summer jobs. It’s all a very fun mix that makes for an awesome setting. I don’t know about you guys but it sounds like a pretty ideal summer.
My main flaw with Nantucket Blue was the main character, Cricket (love her name!) She didn’t really think things through. There were times when she was really selfish and inconsiderate of other people’s feelings. Things that seemed really obvious to me were overlooked by her and it kind of annoyed me. Not enough to make me dislike the book but just enough to make me not love it.
Also, another character that I had issues with was Cricket’s supposed best friend, Jules. I never saw the supposedly fabulous friendship that they had. Instead I saw a really nasty girl who treated Cricket horribly even when she was just trying to do something nice. I could never tell if Jules was jealous or if she was just a mean person in general. As if it wasn’t bad enough that she was mean to Cricket, she way overreacted to some of the things that Cricket did. I could understand that she might be upset but she really freaked out over some minor things. I can’t stand friends like that in books and I was hoping for more from these two.
The main thing that I loved about Nantucket Blue (other than the summery setting) was the romance. To be more specific, the love interest. I won’t give anything away but let’s just say that this isn’t your typical love interest. He’s not a perfect guy but he’s perfect for Cricket. He has his flaws but his good qualities far outweigh them. I really loved him!
Overall, Nantucket Blue is a really fun read and I could go into a lot more detail about it but I’ll stop myself. Just know that I highly recommend it for fans of contemporary romance!
What others have to say about Nantucket Blue:
Alice Marvels’ review: “Howland has proven herself a new talent to watch with this beautiful, unexpectedly emotional beach read that got under my skin in the way that the books of Sarah Dessen, Gayle Forman and Judy Blume do.”
A Reading Nurse’s review: “I honestly enjoyed this book more than I thought I would, and am really looking forward to learning more about the characters and seeing where else life leads them in the sequel Nantucket Red.”
I love her name also! It’s so different. And that sucks that Jules is such a mean person towards Cricket (So much fir best friends!) The love interest sounds interesting, I’ll have to give this one a read. Great review!
I really enjoyed this novel, although it isn’t my favorite. It’s a great summer read. But I do agree with you about Jules and their friendship–I tried to like her but never could.
I’m so happy that you read this! I actually agree with you for pretty much the most part: the setting was amazing and it is so summery! The characters weren’t the strongest, though. Wonderful review, Katie!
Hurray! I’m glad you enjoyed it! I definitely agree, Cricket is an awesome name. I love a good contemporary romance, so maybe I’ll check this out.
I loved your review!
Kaede @ Wake Up at Seven
Yay, so glad you liked this! I’m really looking forward to reading it, I’m dying for a good summer read and this sounds like it fits the bill! 🙂
Ooooh, I love romances where the guy isn’t a typical love interest. I have this one checked out from the library and hope to get to it soon. 🙂
I’m seriously considering going and grabbing this one up. I’m reading the moon and more right now and I just feel like there has to be more contemporaries out there that I will love. This sounds like there is just enough non-romance to outweigh the fluff! But I can’t deny I could use some fluff right now as well haha.
Looks like I will I have to pick this book up before summer is over!
Awesome review. I love the cover and setting of the story cause its close to where i live. Glad you liked it.
Yes! I just finished this one yesterday and really liked it. 🙂 I love any story that takes place in a town like Nantucket. It was perfect!
Great review, Katie!
I actually really don’t like her name-too quirky for my tastes! I did enjoy reading this though and I’m intrigued by the possibility of a sequel as I’ve heard rumblings of that-maybe it could feature the redeeming of Jules.
I’m really glad you enjoyed this book! I’ve heard some mixed things about it, but wanted to possibly give it a shot since the author’s going to be at Austin Teen Book Festival. After reading this review, I have a good feeling about it!
♥Jessica(:
Just a Booklover
I’m glad you liked it, but I think Cricket would’ve annoyed me too much because she’s selfish and inconsiderate. I know it’s a beach read and fun, but I don’t see why that means the characters don’t have to be nice. I know some drama is a must in this kind of read, but I need the characters to be likable and people I respect.
Lovely review 🙂 Hope you enjoyed the sequel 🙂