PRE-PUB PARTY: Someone Else's Summer by Rachel Bateman

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Is it just me or is May off to an AWESOME-TASTIC start...at least in the reading department?  Hopefully it's not just me, but if it is, feel free to follow in my page turns to turn your frown upside down because my reading forecast has been nothing but blue skies here lately.  Speaking of which...

Today, we're diving between the pages of a forthcoming release via Running Press Teens, that stars a Young Adult title that's the perfect addition to your summer reading.  Well, the title ALONE would lead you to believe that, but the content is of two worlds.  It's both easy breezy, and heavy hitting...in more ways than you might imagine.  Ready to get the scoop on this BUZZ worthy title?  Let's!  Ready or not, here comes today's book of choice...

Someone Else's Summer

by

Rachel Bateman

9780762462193

Running Press Teens

About the book...

Anna's always idolized her older sister, Storm. So when Storm dies in a tragic car accident on the night of her high school graduation, Anna is completely lost and her family is torn apart. That is, until she finds Storm's summer bucket list and decides to honor her sister by having the best summer ever—which includes taking an epic road trip to the coast from her sleepy Iowa town. Setting out to do everything on Storm's list along with her sisters best friend Cameron—the boy next door—who knew that Storm's dream summer would eventually lead to Anna's own self-discovery?

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This is the story of how one summer turned into a time to remember.

It all begins with an ending, and ends, ironically, with a new beginning. 

Anna's sister is graduating high school...cue the balloons, fanfare, and party music...except, not.  You see, tragedy struck that very day and what should have been a celebration of life, became a memorial of those days that had passed.  The town was shocked, and though friends rallied, the family was rocked to its core.  How do you get over losing a loved one?  A daughter, a sister...someone you saw every day, loved, laughed, and tangled with?  How do you move on?  The parents are seeking their own route through the grieving process, but Anna is taking a less traditional one.  As it turns out, their childhood traditions were not completely done away with despite their growing apart as they navigated their teen years.  In fact, one specific part of that shared past is going to turn this summer from just another few months out of school into days they won't forget.

Right from the start, I was taken by surprise at how the author was able to put us right there in the situation.  We can feel the loss from all sides, see the struggle to make sense of it all, and marvel at the way the pieces fit back together.  I was really caught up in Anna's journey, so much so that I never saw the bigger twists coming.  Well, okay, I suspected something, but not exactly what occurred to occur.  I mean, how could you when you're busy LIVING LIFE, making memories, BEING BRAVE, and riding shotgun on a summer adventure to remember.  Speaking of memories, the tender touches along the way as Anna's relationship blossoms made my heart skip a few beats.  They're not earthshattering or jaw dropping instances, but special moments in the everyday that bring a smile to your face or a glint to your eye...the parasailing, the tattoo parlor, and the photo book...oh the photo book. 

In the end, it shares a story of life after loss and the bravery it takes to allow happiness back in. I loved Anna, adored Cameron, felt for Storm, and wished everyone to have an adult in their life as amazing as Aunt Morgan. If this book is not on your radar, I suggest you change that, STAT.

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About the author...

Rachel Bateman is a writer and editor who spends too much time thinking she can out bake the Cake Boss. (Spoiler: She can’t.) She lives in the middle of Montana, but dreams of the South. Rachel is the owner of Metamorphosis Books, an author services company offering formatting and interior layout for independent authors. When not writing, editing, or reading books, she can be found playing with her husband, young son, and small zoo of pets.

SITE  |  TWITTER

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Special thanks to Valerie at Running Press for the ARC for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is set to celebrate its book birthday NEXT WEEK (May 9th, to be precise) via Running Press Teens, an imprint of Perseus Books, LLC, so mark your calendar or pre-order your copy today! 

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!