SECOND CHANCE  SUMMER BY MORGAN MATSON

Genre: YA, Contemporary

“A thousand moments that I had just taken for granted- mostly because I had assumed that there would be a thousand more.”
– Morgan Matson, Second Chance Summer

Synopsis: 
Taylor Edwards’ family might not be the closest-knit—everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled—but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor’s dad gets devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend one last summer all together at their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend…and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses and the Edwards become more of a family, they’re more aware than ever that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance—with family, with friends, and with love. [Goodreads]

This book did not live up to the hype for me, not to say it was a bad books it just didn’t end up being what I thought it would be. The book was sad and touching and extremely emotional at times. The writing was well done and I thought that Matson did a fantastic job with writing the whole story from using both the past and the present.

For the most part I felt that the characters were really well done and relatable. I just found that Taylor was a little too immature and caught up in childish drama for being 17 years old. She didn’t seem to be focusing on the important things that were happening and seemed to be a little selfish.I did enjoy that there was character growth seen in Taylor and although I was annoyed with her for the majority of the story I felt like by the end she finally realized what was important. The Edwards family was quite the bunch and were similar to a typical american family! Warren was a great character and I find all parts with him highly enjoyable. I enjoyed the characters of Elliot, Lucy and Henry, but felt like a lot of there development was not present for how involved they were in the story, which is fine for how the plot was meant to be.

Going into this book I thought it would be more family oriented and revolving around the issues of her father. It ended up coming across more of a evolution of a relationship and the second chances that come with those relationships (love and friend) than the family. . I did find the story a little predictable and anticlimactic about some big events that cause rifts and drama. I feel like that goes along with my feelings toward justs an overall bad plot execution.

Regardless of all my problems with the book, stepping back and taking the story for what it was and not my preconceptions it was a good book. It dealt with friendships and family and the importance of living life, saying what you mean, second chances and facing your problems instead of running away. There was some self discovery and great character growth seen in more than just Taylor .The story was heartbreaking and full of emotions just lacking some depth and a little too immature and drama filled for me.

This was the first book read for The Future Cat Ladies of America Book Club! To check out the discussions and other posts that were done by Autumn @Kitty Cat Reads and I throughout the month based on the book follow the links below!

♠ Mid-way Reaction

♠ Final Reaction

We would love for you to join us in September, look out for the post announcing the September book(s) of the month!