Review: The Summer of Firsts and Lasts by Terra Elan McVoy

Title: The Summer of Firsts and Lasts
Author: Terra Elan McVoy
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publish Date: May 3, 2011
Genre: YA, contemporary
Pages: 434
Source: From publisher through GalleyGrab

Synopsis:
Three sisters. One life-changing summer.

Calla loves summer because summer means Duncan. They’ve been best friends for years, but Calla has never worked up the nerve to tell him how she really feels. This summer, the summer before college, is Calla's last chance.

Violet isn't much of a rule breaker in real life. But this isn't real life, this is summer, and Violet is determined to make the most of it. Besides, a little sneaking out never hurt anyone. And sneaking out with James is 100% worth the risk...even though James is completely off-limits.

Daisy has never been the sister that boys notice, but when sparks fly with Joel at the first bonfire of summer, it seems so easy and right. So why is being his girlfriend so complicated?

From Goodreads

Books about sisters have been catching my eye recently, and that’s why I picked up THE SUMMER OF FIRSTS AND LASTS. It sounded like a cute story about three sisters who are very close. And it was! I thought it would be nice to read, since I’m one of three girls, too, but it was a lot different from what I expected!

I liked how the three sisters were all narrators. They each had their own individual voice and I rarely got confused about whose head I was in. Calla is a perfectionist and people-pleaser, and a really hard worker, but also love-stuck with her camp best friend Duncan. Violet is the boy magnet who mostly wanted to let go and break the rules with her new friend Brynn. Daisy is the youngest who likes to keep to herself, but when some of her cabin-mates start bullying her, it’s hard to keep quiet. Each of these sisters was so different from the other, but they also fit together so well to be there and support each other. These three camp weeks really tested their loyalty and sisterly bonds.

The ending really surprised me. I was expecting everything to end up peachy perfect by the time the three week camp was up, and the sisters would be closer than ever, but I can’t say that’s exactly how it went. I was left wondering “Is that really how she’s going to end it?”, but at the same time it worked really well for these girls and their story. It is a stand-alone, and it works like that. Calla, Violet, and Daisy are ready to move on after camp.

If you’re looking for a cute summer read that contains themes of family, love, acceptance, and moving on, then this is a great one to pick up. I had so much fun at camp with these girls, and I bet you will, too.

Teaser Tuesday (18)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

DO NOT INCLUDE SPOILERS (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away, so that you don't ruin the book for others)

Share the title and author so that other participants can add the book to their TBR list is they like your teasers!

Technically, this week and last week are my summer holidays. On the 30th I start work and have a placement for my university program, so I’ll be busy for the rest of the summer. In honour of it being my vacation, I’m reading a summer book! The Summer of Firsts and Lasts by Terra Elan McVoy is a cute summer read so far! Here’s my teaser:

“What’s important about these nicknames,” I finish, standing in front of my fellow campers, reading my completed piece, “is that they were something we created. Us. Together. For and with each other. And while the names our parents gave us are still important, are still who we are, these names we call each other ring in our ears with a different - with a chosen - kind of power.”



This teaser is from Violet’s POV. She’s the middle child, between Daisy, the youngest, and Calla, the oldest. I really loved this part because it shows the reader the special connection that these three sisters have. She talks all about the nicknames they gave each other (like Cow, ZeeZee, Sissie, Vivi, and more) and how they came to be. So far, this is a really cute book and I think I’ll enjoy the journeys that each sister takes individually throughout the summer camp.

Feel free to share your teasers in the comments! I’d love to see what you’re reading.

Waiting on Wednesday (20)

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that showcases upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!
I first heard about it from PageTurnersBlog.




My Waiting on Wednesday this week:
The Summer of Firsts and Lasts by Terra Elan McVoy
Publication Date: May 3, 2011

Synopsis:

Three sisters. One life-changing summer.

Calla loves summer because summer means Duncan. They’ve been best friends for years, but Calla has never worked up the nerve to tell him how she really feels. This summer, the summer before college, is Calla's last chance.

Violet isn't much of a rule breaker in real life. But this isn't real life, this is summer, and Violet is determined to make the most of it. Besides, a little sneaking out never hurt anyone. And sneaking out with James is 100% worth the risk... even though James is completely off-limits.

Daisy has never been the sister that boys notice, but when sparks fly with Joel at the first bonfire of summer, it seems so easy and right. So why is being his girlfriend so complicated?

From Goodreads

This looks like a really cute summer read. I love how it's about three sisters, since I'm one of three as well, so I think it'll be relatively easy to relate to. I was lucky enough to get an egalley of this from NetGalley, and when my summer starts next week, I’m gonna pick up my Kobo and read it while I relax. Maybe over Easter weekend. I hope it’ll be a fun, quick read that I’ll enjoy. And if I like it, then when it comes out I can go and buy copies for myself and both of my sisters :).

What are you waiting on this week?