A CONSTELLATION OF MINOR BEARS, by Jen Ferguson, Heartdrum, Sept. 24, 2024, Hardcover, $19.99 (young adult, ages 14 and up)

Three friends grapple with the fallout from a life-changing accident in A Constellation of Minor Bears, by Jen Feguson.

Before that awful Saturday, Molly used to be inseparable from her brother, Hank, and his best friend, Tray. The indoor climbing accident that left Hank with a traumatic brain injury filled Molly with anger.

While she knows the accident wasn’t Tray’s fault, she will never forgive him for being there and failing to stop the damage. But she can’t forgive herself for not being there either.

Determined to go on the trio’s postgraduation hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, even without Hank, Molly packs her bag. But when her parents put Tray in charge of looking out for her, she is stuck backpacking with the person who incites her easy anger. 

Despite all her planning, the trail she’ll walk has a few more twists and turns ahead. . .. —Synopsis provided by Heartdrum

A Constellation of Minor Bears is one of those books that will speak in some way to whomever reads it. Author Jen Ferguson tackles topics ranging from racism and body image to parental expectations and differing kinds of love.

The story unfolds from Molly and Traylor’s first-person accounts and Hank’s AITA (Am I The Asshole?) posts. These three unique voices are very personal, raw and real. These are well-developed main characters that are dealing with real-life implications. Their individual struggles with what they want for themselves and their friends makes for a compelling read.

Author Jen Ferguson has crafted a novel that ebbs and flows like the Pacific Crest Trail. She captures nature’s rugged beauty, making you feel like you are right on the trail next to Molly, Traylor and Hank.

A Constellation of Minor Bears isn’t a particularly fast-moving novel, but it’s one you want to stick with. It’s a story of self-discovery and connection that will resonate with many readers.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

The post Jen Ferguson’s Constellation of Minor Bears is compelling YA appeared first on www.crackingthecover.com.

GUAVA AND GRUDGES, by Alexis Castellanos, Bloomsbury YA, Sept. 3, 2024, Hardcover, $19.99 (young adult)

Two teens from rival Cuban bakeries find themselves falling for each other in Guava and Grudges, by Alexis Castellanos.

Ana Maria Ybarra dreams of becoming a pastry chef. She loves developing new and exciting Cuban-fusion treats in her family’s bakery, but her dad refuses to change the menu created by her abuelo decades ago-meanwhile, the rival bakery across the street, Morales Bakery, is thriving with their Instagram-famous desserts.

Ana Maria’s only hope to change her dad’s mind and save up for culinary school is winning a recipe competition with a social media angle. But then the ultimate distraction shows up in her small town: Miguel, a boy she spent one magical day with six months ago, and who she never thought she’d see again. Ana Maria thinks maybe fate has brought them together again-until she learns the horrible truth. Miguel is a Morales.

An Ybarra cannot be associated with a Morales, let alone fall for one. But when she finds out Miguel is behind the Moraleses’ viral success and he offers to help her with the competition, she is so desperate to win she can’t turn him down. All she needs to do is keep Miguel at arm’s length and make sure their families don’t find out. After all, teaming up with Miguel is just business and nothing more…right? —Synopsis provided by Bloomsbury YA

Guava and Grudges has a little Romeo and Juliet vibe with family grudges not even allowing for simple friendships. In this version, though, there’s no deadly tragedy, only an appealing story that ends with the happily ever after you want from a romantic comedy.

The story unfolds from Ana Maria’s point of view, and she’s a likeable character. She comes across and smart and driven and devoted to her family. Miguel is less developed, but is the kind of guy you’d want your kid to date.

The third main character/s in Guava and Grudges are Ana Maria’s recipes. These delectable dishes are key to the story and so well developed, you can almost smell them through the pages of the book. It’s clear author Alexis Castellanos has a passion for baking, and she’s even included a recipe at the end.

Guava and Grudges is a fun YA rom-com that moves quickly. It’s a sweet romance that feels familiar and unique at the same time.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

The post Alexis Castellanos’ Guava and Grudges is fun YA rom-com appeared first on www.crackingthecover.com.

WEIRDO, by Tony Weaver Jr., Jes Wibowo and Cin Wibowo, ‎First Second, Sept. 17, 2024, Paperback, $14.99 (ages 10 and up)

An awkward teen struggles with mental health issues and self-doubt in Weirdo, a middle-grade graphic novel memoir by Tony Weaver Jr.

Eleven-year-old Tony Weaver, Jr. loves comic books, anime, and video games, and idolizes the heroic, larger-than-life characters he finds there. But his new classmates all think he’s a weirdo. Bullied by his peers, Tony struggles with the hurt of not being accepted and tries to conform to other people’s expectations. After a traumatic event shakes him to his core, he embarks on a journey of self-love that will require him to become the hero of his own story. —Synopsis provided by First Second

Tony Weaver Jr. explores the painful experience of bullying and ostracism in Weirdo. This heartfelt and heartbreaking graphic novel celebrates differences and confirms that there’s a place for all of us.

Weirdo honors all the little quirks that make us who we are, and the joy that comes when we find “our people.”

Weaver’s story is deeply personal, and some parts — attempted self-harm — are difficult to read about. That’s not to say Weaver goes into great detail. In fact, this section of his book is incredibly emotional due, in part, to all the elements he leaves out. It is not graphic, but given the suggested reading age, parents should be aware and ready to have conversations.

On its face, Weirdo sounds like an unhappy story. And part of it is. But the bigger part is one of survival and self-acceptance. It will especially appeal to readers who find themselves on the “fringes” of the social hierarchy.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

The post Tony Weaver Jr.’s Weirdo is honest, thoughtful graphic novel appeared first on www.crackingthecover.com.

MYSTERIOUS WAYS, by Wendy Wunder, Wednesday Books, Aug. 27, 2024, Hardcover, $20 (young adult, ages 14 and up)

A teen who can read minds struggles to make meaningful connections in Mysterious Ways, a young adult novel by Wendy Wunder.

Seventeen-year-old Maya knows everything. When she looks at someone, she instantly knows their history, their private thoughts, their secret desires, their most tragic failures. Combine these private miseries with the general state of the world, and it’s easy to see why Maya’s power starts to get her down…

Which is why she was sent to the Whispering Pines Psychiatric Facility, and also why starting at a new school is going to be such a challenge. Now, faced with Tyler, a cute guy she actually wants to know everything about, Maya realizes that maybe her power isn’t so horrible after all. Maybe she can use it for good. Maybe she can even get the guy. Or maybe there really is such a thing as knowing too much. —Synopsis provided by Wednesday Books

Mysterious Ways has the opportunity to be something special, but that potential is never fully realized. There are two major things that get in the way — pacing and a lack of focus.

Author Wendy Wunder’s writing has a real stream-of-consciousness, acquired taste feel to it. The narrative gets bogged down by rambling that is often easier to skim rather than wading through. The more time you sit with Wunder’s prose, the more comfortable it gets, but many readers won’t have the patience.

With a lot of storylines and sub storylines running throughout Mysterious Ways it’s hard to keep track of what’s going on and who’s who, making you want a flow chart to keep everything straight. Themes of climate change, mental illness, feminism, societal pressures, and first love all come into play in one giant smooshed up mess.

And maybe that’s what Wunder was after.

Life is messy. And this latest generation of kids is dealing with a lot at once. It is hard to juggle it all. Expectations are high but feel unattainable. In that way, Wunder is successful. And young adults feeling this will certainly relate.

Still, there’s room for improvement. I suggest checking Mysterious Ways out from the library to see if it’s a good fit prior to purchasing.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

The post Wendy Wunder’s Mysterious Ways is an acquired taste appeared first on www.crackingthecover.com.

PEARL: A Graphic Novel, by Sherri L. Smith and Christine Norrie, Graphix, Aug. 20, 2024, Paperback $11.99 (ages 10 and up)

A Japanese-American girl must survive years of uncertainty and questions of loyalty in Hiroshima during World War II in Pearl, a graphic novel by Sherri L. Smith and Christine Norrie.

Amy is a 13-year-old Japanese-American girl who lives in Hawaii. When her great-grandmother falls ill, Amy travels to visit family in Hiroshima for the first time. But this is 1941.

When the Japanese navy attacks Pearl Harbor, it becomes impossible for Amy to return to Hawaii. Conscripted into translating English radio transmissions for the Japanese army, Amy struggles with questions of loyalty and fears about her family amidst rumors of internment camps in America — even as she makes a new best friend and, over the years, Japan starts to feel something like home.

 Torn between two countries at war, Amy must figure out where her loyalties lie and, in the face of unthinkable tragedy, find hope in the rubble of a changed world. —Synopsis provided by Graphix

I received an advanced copy of Pearl earlier this summer, and my daughter took it with her on a weeklong camping trip. She had five books with her, but she read and reread Pearl at least 16 times (that’s what she says!).

Why did she read it so many times?

“Because it had a good story,” my daughter told me. “I like how the character improves over each year in Japan. And… I like that she almost explodes.”

She has two favorite parts. The end where it says “Life is a treasure… thrive.”  She also liked how Amy is known as many things — a monitor for the Japanese Imperial Army; an atomic bomb survivor; a daughter; a sister; a cousin; a friend.

Pearl “shows the struggles of real people and war conflict,” she explained. “The illustrations are really good. The artist is really creative. I like how she put many different pictures into one panel.”

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

The post Sherri L. Smith’s Pearl is compelling WWII graphic novel appeared first on www.crackingthecover.com.

ASH’S CABIN, by Jen Wang, First Second, Aug. 13, 2024, Paperback, $17.99 (young adult, ages 14 and up)

A misunderstood teen searches for a place of their own in Ash’s Cabin, a coming-of-age graphic novel by Jen Wang. 

Ash has always felt alone.

Adults ignore the climate crisis. Other kids Ash’s age are more interested in pop stars and popularity contests than in fighting for change. Even Ash’s family seems to be sleepwalking through life.

The only person who ever seemed to get Ash was their Grandpa Edwin. Before he died, he used to talk about building a secret cabin, deep in the California wilderness. Did he ever build it? What if it’s still there, waiting for him to come back…or for Ash to find it? To Ash, that maybe-mythical cabin is starting to feel like the perfect place for a fresh start and an escape from the miserable feeling of alienation that haunts their daily life.

But making the wilds your home isn’t easy. And as much as Ash wants to be alone…can they really be happy alone? Can they survive alone? —Synopsis provided by First Second

Ash’s Cabin is reminiscent of Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet but with more contemporary issues.

Ash feels misunderstood by everyone — their peers, their siblings, their parents. The only person who really seemed to get them was their grandfather. Ash decides that if they can find grandpa’s cabin, maybe it will be a special place. A place where they can be themselves, away from all the noise.

Ash’s plans are dangerous, yes, but they make sense to them. And that’s what makes sense with Jen Wang’s character study. In Ash, Wang explores gender identity in a way that will feel right to readers.

Wang’s distinct artwork, rendered in muted earth-tone watercolors, sets the tone. Emotion plays out in her illustrations, and her settings are beautiful.

Ash’s Cabin is a fast-moving graphic novel — I read it in one sitting — that stays with you days after completion. It won’t be a good fit for everyone, but it will resonate with the readers who need it most.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

The post Jen Wang’s artwork is masterful in YA graphic novel Ash’s Cabin appeared first on www.crackingthecover.com.

THE GIRL WITH NO REFLECTION, by Keshe Chow, Delacorte Press, Aug. 6, 2024, Hardcover, $19.99 (young adult, ages 14 and up)

The crown prince’s young bride learns the dark truth the royal family has been hiding for centuries in The Girl with No Reflection, by Keshe Chow.

Princess Ying Yue believed in love…once upon a time.

Yet when she’s chosen to wed the crown prince, Ying’s dreams of a fairy tale marriage quickly fall apart. Her husband-to-be is cold and indifferent, confining Ying to her room for reasons he won’t explain. Worse still are the rumors that swirl around the imperial palace: whispers of seven other royal brides who, after their own weddings, mysteriously disappeared.

Left alone with only her own reflection for company, Ying begins to see things. Strange things. Movements in the corners of her mirror. Colorful lights upon its surface. And when, on the eve of her wedding, she unwittingly tears open a gateway, she is pulled into a mirror world.

This realm is full of sentient reflections, including the enigmatic Mirror Prince. Unlike his real-world counterpart, the Mirror Prince is kind and compassionate, and before long Ying falls in love—the kind of love she always dreamed of.

But there is darkness in this new world, too.

It turns out the two worlds have a long and blood-soaked history, and Ying has a part to play in the future of them both. And the brides who came before Ying? By the time they discovered what their role was, it was already too late. —Synopsis provided by Delacorte Press

The Girl with No Reflection is a YA fantasy loosely based on Imperial China.

At the center of the story is Ying, a young woman who was matched to the crown prince and swept away from her home and everything she’s ever known. Ying’s early interactions with the prince leave her wishing for a life elsewhere, and when she’s given the choice, she takes it. Except, some offers really are too good to be true.

Ying’s a strong, independent character, but she lacks depth and can be unrelatable at times. There’s opportunity for the prince to be the more interesting of the two, but he spends so much time glowering that it feels like a missed opportunity.

The best part of The Girl with No Reflection is the mirror world. This is where debut author Keshe Chow shines. She hooks readers from the start, and really sets the stage going forward. The magical world that Chow creates is exciting and clever, and I wish she had explored it more. And it makes me wonder how the story told from the mirror world Ying’s perspective would have played out.

And while Chow’s magical world is, well, magical, I wish she had spent more time with her prose, which feels contemporary in a story that is very much not. There were a few spots where I actually paused and went, “what?”

That said, I still enjoyed The Girl with No Reflection, reading it in less than three days. It’s a decent YA fantasy.

Sensitivity note: violence, gore, swearing, death, suggestive sexual content

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

The post Keshe Chow’s The Girl with No Reflection is decent YA fantasy appeared first on www.crackingthecover.com.

PUMPKIN SPICE & EVERYTHING NICE, by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc, Scholastic Press, Aug. 6, 2024, Paperback, $10.99 (young adult)

When a competing coffee shop opens in her town, a girl is forced to rethink her gameplan in Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice, a YA romance by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc.

Fall is a big deal in Briar Glen, a quaint and charming village in New England. That’s when tourists from all over the country descend upon this picturesque town to see the babbling brooks and colorful leaves while sipping hot chocolate or pumpkin spice lattes.

But sixteen-year-old Lucy Kane hates the uber-popular PSL. She finds it overrated — especially when you consider the fact that there isn’t even pumpkin in it! — which is bad because she works at Cup o’ Jo, the local coffee shop her mom owns. Business at Cup o’ Jo hasn’t been great in the off-season, but that’s okay because it always picks up during the fall …

Until Java Junction, a multinational coffee chain, opens across the street and makes things harder for the small shop. And to make matters worse, it turns out Jack Harper, the new kid in school and Lucy’s secret crush, is the son of the owner. Suddenly, fall doesn’t seem like it’ll be all it’s cracked up to be. Will Lucy find a way to save her mom’s coffee shop? —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press

Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice is a cozy YA romance that fits squarely into the chaste category. There’s a bit of banter, and there’s a sort of one-sided enemies-to-lovers theme that runs throughout.

One-sided because Lucy has a problem with Jack, but Jack has no problem with Lucy. With the exception of some discourse later in the book, Jack feels a little one-note, which makes Lucy’s emotions feel more extreme. The book would have been better had supporting characters felt more like people and less like means to an end, particularly Lucy’s best friends.

Author Katie Cicatelli-Kuc excels in setting the scene — you do feel like you’re walking into a picturesque town at the height of autumn. And you can practically smell Lucy’s creations.

I’ve seen a bunch of reviews saying that Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice feels like it should be a middle-grade novel; that the main character seems too immature. But here’s the thing: Not every teenager is mature or wants “mature” content. Sometimes, they act silly and do dumb stuff that isn’t what we’ve come to “expect” young adults to do. Lucy is 16, and is trying to figure out who she is and who she wants to be. If that takes place in Gilmore Girls-like, rated PG setting then so be it. This type of book is great especially for newer young adults (ages 12-14) who maybe don’t want or aren’t ready for “more.”

Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice isn’t particularly thought provoking, but it’s a great option if you’re looking for a little escape.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

The post Katie Cicatelli-Kuc’s Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice is cozy romance appeared first on www.crackingthecover.com.

THE SECOND CHANCE OF DARIUS LOGAN, by David F. Walker, Scholastic Press, July 2, 2024, Hardcover, $19.99 (young adult)

A young man is given the chance at redemption in The Second Chance of Darius Logan, a YA novel by David F. Walker.

Darius Logan is far from a hero. Since his parents were killed, he has spent most of his life navigating foster homes and shelters, abandoned neighborhoods and decaying buildings. All Darius knows is survival. Life was hard enough, but now he finds himself being hunted by the police after a drug deal he never should have been involved in goes bad. And when they catch him, Darius is positive he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

But in place of a long prison sentence, Darius is handed an opportunity almost too good to be true: the chance to get away from his circumstances by joining the Second Chance program of the Super Justice Force, a league of people with special powers who strive to do good and protect the world from harm. Darius soon discovers a strength he never knew he possessed, but evil forces manifest and threaten to destroy everything he holds dear. Will Darius be able to save the world when he faces a deadly — and all too familiar — enemy? —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press

I’ve got to be honest. I’m not much of a superhero person. I never was into comics or the movies and literature that was born from them. However, after reading The Second Chance of Darius Logan, I can understand why people are drawn to them.

Author David F. Walker takes themes of social justice and identity, courage and second chances and blends them into an action-packed story full of mystery, adventure and heart.

Darius is a sympathetic main character that you want to root for. His growth throughout the novel is strong. His surrounding supporting characters are strong as well, with Walker highlighting the commonalities and struggles everyone from a top-tier superhero to the guy who mops the floor shares.

I don’t know that this genre is one that I’ll ever be obsessed about, but I do know that if the books are written as well as The Second Chance of Darius Logan, I will enjoy them. I look forward to more books from David F. Walker.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

The post David F. Walker’s Second Chance of Darius Logan is strong YA appeared first on www.crackingthecover.com.

LOVE, OFF THE RECORD, by Samantha Markum, Margaret K. McElderry Books, June 11, 2024, Hardcover, $19.99 (young adult, ages 14 and up)

Wyn is going to beat Three even if it kills her—or, preferably, him. Being freshmen staffers on the university newspaper puts them at the bottom of the pecking order—until a rare reporter spot opens up. Wyn and Three are both determined to get the position, starting a game of sabotage that pushes them to do their worst, from stealing each other’s ideas to playing twisted mind games. No road is too low when it comes to winning.

As Wyn’s search for the perfect story leads her to an anonymous, campus-wide dating app, she hits it off with a mystery man she thinks might be the cute RA from her dorm. But Wyn is all too familiar with being rejected because of her weight, and she’s hesitant to reveal her identity, even as she grows closer with someone who might be the guy of her dreams.

When Three breaks a story that’s closer to home than he or Wyn expects, the two must put aside their differences to expose the truth—and face their real feelings for each other, which threaten everything Wyn has built with her anonymous match.

SEVENTEENTH SUMMER, by Maureen Daly, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; Reissue edition, May 7, 2024, Hardcover, $20.99 (young adult)

First published in the 1940s, Seventeenth Summer is considered the first young adult novel. Now with refreshed text and a brand-new look, this timeless, sweeping romance is perfect for fans of Morgan Matson and Jenny Han.

Angeline “Angie” Morrow always thought high school romances were just silly infatuations that come and go. She certainly never thought she would fall in love. But when she’s asked out on her first date by the school basketball star, Jack Duluth, their connection is beyond any childish crush.

Suddenly, Angie and Jack are filling their summer with stolen moments and romantic nights. But fall is coming—Angie is going off to college in Chicago, while Jack is planning to move to Oklahoma to help with the family bakery—and they must figure out if their love is forever, or just a summer they’ll never forget.

SUMMER NIGHTS AND METEORITES, by Hannah Reynolds, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, May 21, 2024, Hardcover, $19.99 (young adult)

Jordan Edelman’s messy dating days are over. After a few too many broken hearts, and a father who worries a bit too much, she’s sworn off boys—at least for the summer. And since she’ll be tagging along on her father’s research trip to Nantucket, she doesn’t think it’ll be too hard to stick to her resolution.

But hooking up with the cute boy on the ferry doesn’t count, right? At least, not until that cute boy turns out to be Ethan Barbanel. As in, her father’s longtime research assistant Ethan Barbanel, the boy Jordan has hated from afar for years. And to make matters worse, Jordan might actually be falling for him.

As if that didn’t complicate her life enough, Jordan’s new summer job with a local astronomer turns up a centuries-old mystery surrounding Gibson’s Comet—and as she dives into her research, what she learns just might put her growing relationship with Ethan in jeopardy.

SIXTEENTH SUMMER, Part of: Sixteenth Summer (4 books), by Michelle Dalton Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; Reissue edition, May 7, 2024, Hardcover, $20.99 (young adult)

Anna is dreading another tourist-filled summer on Dune Island that follows the same routine: beach, ice cream, friends, repeat. That is, until she locks eyes with Will, the gorgeous and sweet guy visiting from New York. Soon, her summer is filled with flirtatious fun as Anna falls head over heels in love.

But with every perfect afternoon, sweet kiss, and walk on the beach, Anna can’t ignore that the days are quickly growing shorter, and Will has to leave at the end of August. Anna’s never felt anything like this before, but when forever isn’t even a possibility, one summer doesn’t feel worth the promise of her heart breaking…

FIFTEENTH SUMMER (Sixteenth Summer), Part of: Sixteenth Summer (4 books), by Michelle Dalton, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; Reissue edition, May 7, 2024, Hardcover, $20.99 (young adult)

Chelsea isn’t looking forward to her summer at the lake. It’s the first time her family has been there since her grandmother died, and she can’t break out of her funk. But her summer takes a turn for the better when she meets a boy who works in the bookstore. Josh is cute, sweet, funny…and best of all, seems to like her as much as she likes him. As the days pass by in a blur of boat rides, picnics, and stolen kisses, she can’t believe how lucky she is. No one has ever made her feel so special, or so beautiful.

But Chelsea knows her days with Josh are numbered. She’ll be heading home at the end of the summer—and he’ll be staying behind. Will this be Chelsea’s summer of love? Or will it be the summer of her broken heart?

PULLED UNDER (Sixteenth Summer), Part of: Sixteenth Summer (4 books), by Michelle Dalton, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; Reissue edition, May 7, 2024, Hardcover, $20.99 (young adult)

In the small town of Pearl Beach, Florida, Izzy Lucas needs only her surfboard and the water to be completely happy. She wants nothing to do with parties, popularity contests, or showing her face around the clichéd touristy hangouts. Izzy’s tight group of coworkers at the local surf shop have tried relentlessly to break shy Izzy out of her (sea)shell. But Izzy isn’t interested…until the day Ben Barker walks into the store.

Ben’s from the city. He’s cute, charming, and wants her help adjusting to beach town culture. As the weeks of surfing lessons and pizza shack visits fly by, Izzy and Ben realize their attraction goes beyond mere friendship. But Ben is only in town for three months, and Izzy wonders if this amazing guy is worth stepping out of her comfort zone for what might be the perfect summer romance—or her first heartbreak.

SWEPT AWAY (Sixteenth Summer), Part of: Sixteenth Summer (4 books), by Michelle Dalton, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; Reissue edition, May 7, 2024, Hardcover, $20.99 (young adult)

Mandy Sullivan isn’t exactly looking forward to the summer months as tourists invade her seaside hometown on the coast of Maine. Her best friend, Cynthia, has abandoned her for camp and her older brother just announced he’ll be staying at college taking classes for the summer, leaving Mandy with nothing to do and no one to hang out with. Hoping to keep herself busy, Mandy takes a volunteer job at the Rocky Pointe Lighthouse.

On her very first day, Oliver Farmingham asks for a private tour. A new—and incredibly cute—face in Rocky Pointe, Oliver seems more interested in Mandy than the lighthouse and its history. Without her best friend at her side, Mandy is scrambling to act the right way and say the right things when Oliver is around. Cynthia—not Mandy—has always been the confident, flirtatious girl that everyone wanted to be around.

As Mandy and Oliver spend more time together exploring the coast, biking through the woods, and attending the local summer festivals, their budding friendship becomes much more. But with Mandy’s insecurities creeping to the surface, can she open her heart to someone who will only be in town for three months?

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

The post ICYMI: Finish up summer break with YA romance appeared first on www.crackingthecover.com.