Review: An Incredible Summer Story
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 23, 2013
I really liked that this time we get to really know Chris, a character that has been there since the very beginning but has always remained a mystery. On the other hand, it was refreshing to have the story told by someone who considered herself an outsider from the group, because it really allowed you to get the group dynamics.Tammy, was very different from any of the girls we knew before, she is shy but also confident and has a clear picture of what she wants in life. She is also very stressed out and scared to get out of her comfort zone. However, much as Tess did in the first book, we get to see her grow up a lot.I have to admit that Chris is now my favourite Onslow Boy. He always seemed so quiet and reserved. So different from the other Onslow Boys, that sometimes it made you wonder why he hang out with them. But in this book you get to know the real Chris, the relaxed Chris, the fall in love with him Chris. He was so considerate and caring! I loved how he was always looking out for Tammy in his silent, responsible and diligent way. He definitely is the perfect boyfriend, if you don’t mind the fact that he is very reserved with his feelings and hard to read. I also liked that his pairing with Tammy is also well fitted. The “I don’t do confrontations and don’t fit in with the group” Tammy, is perfect for the silent, mysterious Chris. They just get each other. But my favourite thing about them is that they got the best out of each other. In each other’s company we get to learn who they really are and how much they can be besides of their shy faade. You could say that they blossomed together.In this book we get to go in a road trip with the gang, away from the Onslow scenery we are so used to, and it is really fun to see how trouble does not stay away from this trip and the gang again has a chance for growth and friendship. For the first time, we experience real tension within the group, but it is beautiful to see how they learn to overcome the difficulties and be there for each other.I think that as storytelling goes, I liked this book the best, because I felt it was richer in relationships dynamics.It was great to see some real girl bonding in this book. Up until now it was all about the ‘Onslow Boys’ and their girls (except for Tess, Ellie and Adam’s friendship, of course), but in this book, you can see how the girls group up, and it is super fun to watch them make their own rules, kind of like the ‘Onslow Girls’. It definitely gave something extra to the story, seeing the female point of view of the gang as a group.Once again, C.J. brings us a beautiful and swoon worthy love story, interwoven with human relations, but what I loved the most was that the group felt more solid, and that little by little we are really getting to know each character. I just can’t wait for the next book.