Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
3/5 stars
Hyperion, 2013
294 pages
YA Contemporary
Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I had originally planned to read this before I went on my vacation but time got away from me so I was actually able to read it on the beach, which was great because the cover screams out that it is the perfect beach read. I think that is true although this book is a bit on the heavier side than my preferred beach fare.
Cricket is looking forward to a beautiful lazy summer in Nantucket with her best friend Jules, an invitation that is suddenly rescinded after the death of Jules' mother. Nonetheless Cricket makes the trek out to Nantucket just trying to be there for her, something that is complicated as Cricket embarks on a secret summer romance that could hurt Jules if discovered.
This is a difficult review for me because while I liked most of the plot lines and characters in this book, they were definitely more than the whole. My overall impression of this book is decidedly neutral-I wouldn't warn you off of reading it but I'm not going to insist that you run out and pick it up. I think the main reason for that is just the way everything is tied together, that is to say not very tightly. Cricket had a lot of cool moments (most notably to me were her job as a maid with the hilarious Liz and her internship with a writer) but they weren't quite one cohesive whole for me.
The cover seems to hint at a big summer romance, to my mind, and to some extent that is true as Cricket experiences a giddiness from being with that one boy. But it does not overwhelm the other plots nor is it instalove. I actually found it to be a pretty accurate and realistic love story although toward the ending, it sort of explodes into melodrama. Communication is important people!
There is also parental drama as Cricket's mom has completely withdrawn from the world following her divorce while her father has fully embraced his new wife and child, possibly to the exclusion of Cricket. The father plot line is not at all resolved to my extreme dissatisfaction but at least the mother's story ends on a moment of hope.
Lastly there is the friendship arc, which was so sad to me. I have lost friends over the years (sometimes reconnecting with them later) but that was because I moved-not because of the reason detailed here, which absolutely broke my heart. Jules is kind of a crappy friend and I wish we had a bit more understanding of her history with Cricket to justify why Cricket kept trying.
Overall: Yes, there are a lot of good points to this book but the whole just didn't add up to much for me.
Content: Some language, quite a bit of alcohol use, and lots of sexual content make this probably better for the older YA reader.
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Thanks for your honesty, I'd have picked this as a holiday read, was considering it for my week in Bali but I think I'll pass for now :)
ReplyDeleteI think you've left already but it's still a decent selection for on the beach in Bali-it just wasn't as strong as I think it could have been.
DeleteIt does sound like it has a lot of potential, if only it were tied up a bit better... I'm reading this soon, I'm curious to see if we'll feel the same way about it :) I do like that you mention the lovestory is pretty accurate and no nasty insta-love!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to see your thoughts-wonder where we'll agree and disagree!
DeleteSorry it wasn't all you wanted but glad that you liked some of the elements
ReplyDeleteI was glad it was still a decent read-I certainly don't regret giving it a shot.
DeleteHm, sorry to hear it didn't gel better for you, but thanks for the great and honest review!
ReplyDeleteIt was just too overstuffed! I think some more fleshign out and tying things together would have made for a stronger book.
DeleteI really liked this one but then I was in the mood for something a little heavier. I agree that the cover depicts more of a lighthearted romance than what is delivered.
ReplyDeleteI felt bad for Cricket and could understand her pain at being suddenly dropped from Jules's life but I thought it was mature of her to be an adult about it and keep trying to be a good friend anyway. Jules does come across as just a bitch at that point and it made me wonder if we are just seeing the friendship through Cricket's rose tinted glasses. I know it is just a story but I kind of hope that Cricket finds better friends in the future :) Great review!
Love this comment! Cricket was so good to Jules in the face of her baffling behavior. I just wish the cover hadn't portrayed this as such a lighthearted summer read.
DeleteThis sounds like a pretty interesting read nd it does scream beach read. I'm glad it wasn't an insta love kind of things cause most books I read like this end up like that. lol Awesome review!
ReplyDeleteJanina @ Synchronized Reading
Loved the solid foundation for romance through friendship first-so inspiring!
DeleteGreat review. I felt so bad for Cricket when it came to Jules, it was just awful. I'm glad you enjoy this for the most part.
ReplyDeleteIt was heartbreaking to see Jules cut Cricket out of her life (especially when I knew why but Cricket didn't)-losing a best friend is devastating.
DeleteI do hate when summaries and/or covers mislead potential readers. I'm still curious about this one and think I might like it (since I do like when books deal with tough issues) but I hate that it seems so much like a summer beach read. Based on the cover, I might pass on it...and someone else could grab it and hate it. haha
ReplyDeleteI just feel like the cover is just too bright for a story that is not that lighthearted. At least it is set mostly by the water so that's accurate!
DeleteThat stinks you didn't LOVE it, but sometimes that just happens. I really did love it, but I guess I kind of understand what you're saying too. Someone mentioned that it might be the first in a series but it seems like I looked and didn't find anything. I would love it as a series cause I love Cricket!
ReplyDeleteI did like Cricket and I definitely foresee some conflict in her future, as her relationship with that boy brings up issues.
DeleteAww, I'm sorry that you didn't love this one. I liked it, but I can definitely understand where you're coming from-- it resulted in three stars for me too. Awesome review, girly! I hope that your next read wows you! (:
ReplyDeleteMy next read didn't wow me but I just finished Attachements by Rainbow Rowell and am trying to sort out all my gushing thoughts about it for review next week!
DeletePretty cover. <3 I'm sorry you didn't totally love it, though. Looks good, but don't think I would ever read it :) Thank you for sharing your honest review, though :D
ReplyDeleteIsn't the cover cute? That's what first grabbed my attention and I wish the contents inside had been a bit more bright like the cover.
DeleteI liked it but I also felt that there were too many plot lines...
ReplyDeleteJen @ YA Romantics
It was just overstuffed and some things were not addressed to the degree that they might have been.
DeleteCommunication is key! So many people would save themselves a lot of trouble if they just communicated. Curious why the romance is bad for the friendship. Even though Jules is a crappy friend I can understand wanting to try and save the friendship but sometimes eventually the other person just isn't worth the effort and you have to let go. I've had some friendships like that. It is a two way street so eventually if you are the only one making it work you have to let it go.
ReplyDeleteLove this insight into friendship-thanks for the great thoughts!
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