May Confessions

Is it true? Is summer really on the horizon? Finally! I think I have been waiting for this very moment since January. 

May has been a great month with some warm days, BBQs, gardening, and family fun. I read a decent amount of books and I have some more fun planned this June including a family vacation at the beach. 

Books Read in May:
1.  The Book of Summer by Michelle Gable (Adult Historical Fiction) - 4 out of 5 stars
2.  The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord (YA Realistic Fiction) - 3.5 out of 5 stars
3.  Secrets in Summer by Nancy Thayer (Adult Fiction) - 3.5 out of 5 stars
4.  White Sand, Blue Sea by Anita Hughes (Adult Fiction) - 3 out of 5 stars 
5.  Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han (YA Realistic Fiction) - 4 out of 5 stars - Review to come!
6.  The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Adult Historical Fiction) - 5 out of 5 stars - Review to come!
7.  The Summer House by Hannah McKinnon (Adult Fiction) - 4.5 out of 5 stars - Review to come!
8.  It's Always the Husband by Michele Campbell (Adult Fiction) - 3.5 out of 5 stars - Review to come!
9.  Beach House for Rent by Mary Alice Monroe (Adult Fiction) - 3.5 out of 5 stars - Review to come!

DNF:
(I'll be doing a future post on why these three books didn't work for me. )
Romancing the Throne by Nadine Jolie Courtney
Into the Water by Paula Hawkins
Sunshine Sisters by Jane Green 

1.  Favorite Book:  The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid - I am a huge fan of Reid, but this book blew me away.  I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would. It was just utterly fantastic.  

2.  Biggest Surprise: The Summer House by Hannah McKinnon - I liked McKinnon's previous beach-y novels and was so pleasantly surprised to really enjoy and connect with this one. McKinnon hit it out of the park with her descriptions of the beach and life at the shore. I adored this novel and it tugged on my heartstrings. 

3.  Biggest Disappointment:  Into the Water by Paula Hawkins was the biggest disappointment this month. I expected so much more since I enjoyed Girl on the Train. This book didn't work for me in the very least. More on this later.

4.  Favorite Post from May:    If You Love Southern Beach Reads

5.  Favorite Part of May: The warm weather! Woo hoo! It's finally here! Now if only I could find time to sit outside with my favorite book. 

What was your favorite book you read this month? Can you believe it's June tomorrow? Now I just need summer to slow down a bit.  I want to savor every moment this summer.

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Books for Second Half of 2017

This week's Top Ten post is all about the books we are looking forward to reading, but it's specifically limited to publication dates for the second half of the year. How is already the second half of the year?! Here are the books that have caught my eye: 

YA Fiction:

1.  The Secret History of Us by Jessi Kirby - I love Kirby's books, so I am excited to check out this one even if it seems a bit darker than her usual novels.

2.  Jane, Unlimited by Kristin Cashore - A new Cashore novel? Yes, please! 

3.  That Inevitable Victorian Thing by E.K. Johnston - I love the synopsis of this book and the gorgeous cover.

4.  The Breathless by Tara Goedjen - This seems like the perfect Halloween read, right?

5.  The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand - I adore Cynthia Hand and I'm sure this one won't disappoint. She is one of my favorite YA authors and I love that it's a retelling of A Christmas Carol. Such a good idea! 

Adult Fiction:

1.  The Last Tudor by Philippa Gregory - I am sort of over the Tudors, but I am a huge fan of Gregory, so I will definitely want to get my hands on a copy.

2.  The Daughters of Ireland by Santa Montefiore - I loved the first book in this series, The Girl in the Castle, and can't wait to revisit the characters and the gorgeous setting.

3.  The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman - A prequel to Practical Magic!

4.  The Wildling Sisters by Eve Chase - I thought Chase's Black Rabbit Hall was very atmospheric, so I am excited to check this one out. 

5.  Hello, Sunshine by Laura Dave - I read the first few chapters of this book and it seems really great and filled with many secrets. Have any of you read Dave's Eight Hundred Grapes? I heard it was good!

What books are you looking forward to that are published the last half of this year? Let me know in the comments below. This meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. 

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day to all those who celebrate. It's the unofficial start of summer around here and it has me excited.  

What have you been reading this holiday weekend? I just finished Beach House for Rent by Mary Alice Monroe. It was a super cute beach read and my first (surprisingly!) of her novels. I loved the incorporation of sea birds as well as a lot of other sea life.  I just started The Scribe of Siena by Melodie Winawer. I have a feeling I am going to really like this one. 

Thank you to the veterans who served and those that continue to defend our nation.  

Have a great Memorial Day!

Sunday Post (32)

Book Review: White Sand, Blue Sea by Anita Hughes 

Book Review: Secrets in Summer by Nancy Thayer

Waiting on Wednesday: Daughters of Ireland 

Giveaway: Becoming Bonnie 

Spotlight: The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

This coming week should definitely be fun! I'll be sharing my most anticipated reads for the second half of the year (whoa....time is flying?!! 2017 is almost half way over??) and sharing my May Confessions. That was a quick month! 

I'll be also reviewing Jenny Han's Always and Forever, Lara Jean which is the final installment in the To All the Boys I've Loved Before series. It's bittersweet. I know the series has to end, but I am sad to see the characters go.  I am also part of the Penguin's blog tour for Anna Dewdney's new book, Little Excavator. There's a great giveaway as part of this blog tour, so keep your eye out for it!

A big thank you to Charlesbridge Publishing for sharing these fantastic children's books with me: 

The Seashore Book by Charlotte Zolotow 

Ancient Animals: Plesiosaur by Sarah L. Thomson 

The Very Berry Counting Book by Jerry Pallotta 

Leaf Jumpers by Carole Gerber 

Alexander Graham Bell Answers the Call by Mary Ann Fraser 

The Sandcastle Empire by Kayla Olson - Thanks to Harper Teen

Have you read any of these books? Are they on your TBR list? Let me know your thoughts. Thanks for visiting. This meme is hosted by Kimberly at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

Book Review: White Sand, Blue Sea by Anita Hughes

Pages: 288

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: April 11, 2017

Publisher: St. Martin's

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: French Coast

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Olivia Miller is standing on the porch of her mother and stepfather's plantation style villa in St. Barts. They have been coming here every April for years but she is always thrilled to see the horseshoe shaped bay of Gustavia and white sand of Gouverneur's Beach. This trip should be particularly exciting because she is celebrating her twenty-fifth birthday and hoping that Finn, her boyfriend of four years, will propose.  The only person who won't be here is her father, Sebastian, who she hasn’t seen in twenty years. He’s a well-known artist and crisscrosses the globe, painting and living in exotic locations like Kenya and China. When Sebastian walks unexpectedly walks through the door and floats back into Olivia’s life like a piece of bad driftwood she never knew she wanted, she starts to wondering if her world is too narrow. She questions the dreams and the relationship she’s always thought she wanted. But there seems to be more to the story than an innocent fatherly visit, and Olivia must decide if love is more important than truth.  Set on St. Barts, the jewel of the Caribbean, WHITE SAND, BLUE SEA is a heartwarming story about romance and adventure, and most importantly, about knowing yourself, and what makes you happy."

Olivia is celebrating her twenty-fifth birthday with her family at their St. Barts vacation home. It's pretty much heaven there with its gorgeous views and perfect beach.  To top it off, Olivia is expecting her boyfriend, Finn, to propose, which only makes her life even sweeter.  All of her family is here, except for her vagabond father, Sebastian, who is an artist that travels the world. Olivia and her father don't have a relationship (she hasn't seen him for twenty years!), but she has always wondered about him.  Her perfect calm world starts to have ripples in it when an unexpected visitor shows up knocking at the door. It's her father.  Not only does his presence upset their family trip, it also makes Olivia start questioning things about her life.  White Sand, Blue Sea by Anita Hughes is an enchanting and fluffy beach read. It's filled with family secrets and drama all set to the gorgeous backdrop of St. Barts. 

Olivia is just an ok character in White Sand, Blue Sea. She's the quintessential "rich girl" and quite frankly her "rich girl" problems got quite old.  I mean she is only twenty-five years old, so I don't doubt her second thoughts about getting engaged, especially once her father returns.  With her father's unexpected arrival, she starts thinking about her life and where its headed thanks to his influence. Plus, there's the issue of her father's return and its impact on Olivia's family. This doesn't just send ripples through Olivia's life, but also her mother's. 

I did expect a bit more romance in White Sand, Blue Sea, but that's not the focus of this novel. It's more about the family dynamics as well a Olivia's life choices.  Her relationship with her father is interesting and I was glad to see him break out of her comfort zone a bit.

Hughes does know how to set the stage when it comes to exotic locations. Her descriptions of the striking beaches, the Caribbean food, and the high-end way of living are all spot-on in White Sand, Blue Sea.  This is what Hughes does best. When I read her novels, I am also transported to a perfect beach with champagne in my hand watching a breathtaking sunset.

White Sand, Blue Sea didn't wow me by any means, but it does make for a good vacation read if you like a book that has a Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous type of vibe.  Sometimes you just want a taste of how the other half live and be transported to your own private Caribbean villa. But if this isn't your type of thing, then look elsewhere this summer. 

Book Review: Secrets in Summer by Nancy Thayer

Pages: 336

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: May 16, 2017

Publisher: Ballantine

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: Nantucket Sisters, 

Island Girls, and The Guest Cottage 

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 Goodreads says, "Memorial Day weekend means that seasonal visitors have descended on the glamorous island of Nantucket. For year-round resident Darcy Cotterill, it means late-night stargazing in the backyard of the beautiful house she grew up in and inherited from her beloved grandmother. It s also Darcy s chance to hit the beach and meet her new summertime neighbors. But the last person the thirty-year-old librarian expects to see staying next door is her ex-husband, Boyz, along with his wife, Autumn, and stepdaughter, Willow.  Darcy must also navigate the highs and lows of a new romantic relationship with local carpenter Nash Forester even as she becomes smitten with handsome vacationer Clive Rush, a musicologist in town to write a book and visit family. And she finds herself pulled into the concerns of Boyz, Autumn, a charming elderly neighbor, and an at-risk teen.  As the season nears its end, Darcy must decide her next move: retreating to the comforts of her steady and secure island life, or risking it all for a chance at true happiness."



Darcy grew up on idyllic Nantucket with her grandmother and since her grandmother's passing, she has inherited their family home.  After her whirlwind romance and subsequent divorce from her ex-husband and real estate mogul, Boyz, she finds herself back at home on Nantucket starting over.  Darcy is the town's librarian, she is dating a gorgeous carpenter, and has a group of friends. Everything seems to be going well for her until summertime comes and she is out in her garden, where she spends a lot of her time and she realizes her ex-husband and his new family has rented the house behind hers.  Cue all the drama.   Things get even more complicated when she overhears Willow, Boyz's stepdaughter, canoodling with the local thug/drug addict. Should she report this to her ex-husband and his new wife? Is she obligated to since Willow is underage? Predictably, things don't go well when Darcy confronts Boyz regarding his step-daughter's escapades, but as the summer goes on, Darcy is surprised to find that Willow is a delightful young girl that just needs some guidance.  This summer Darcy is also is grappling with her feelings about Nash, her carpenter boyfriend. Is he feeling the same way about her?  Darcy's story in Secrets in Summer by Nancy Thayer is the perfect summertime diversion.  There's family secrets, a romance, and strong female friendships all set on the gorgeous island of Nantucket.

I really enjoyed Darcy form the get-go in Secrets in Summer. She's a librarian and a big-time book worm; what's not to love?  But some of her decisions were just so ridiculous. (More on that later.) I did feel for her regarding her complicated relationship with Boyz and I desperately wanted her to get away from him. He is is horrible! And when he shows on Nantucket right by her house with his new family, it was pretty much a nightmare.  Even though Darcy claims to be "over" Boyz, having him there was sort of a constant reminder of her former life.

The reason why I didn't give this Secrets in Summer four stars was for the simple fact that I couldn't get behind Darcy's friendship with Willow. It was weird. I mean it's her ex-husband's new wife's daughter. Willow's mother is the woman who stole her former husband away and even though Darcy is "over" it all, I just couldn't fathom her having a meaningful relationship with Willow. It would be too complicated, right? She goes above and beyond what I think a woman in her situation should do for an adolescent that needs guidance. It was all just a little too much.

Once I got past some of the issues surrounding her ex-husband's family, I fell in love with the Nantucket setting in Secrets in Summer. Thayer truly knows Nantucket. Her descriptions of the beaches, the restaurants, Darcy's garden, and the adorable library were fantastic. Every time Darcy brought her wine or fabulous dinner outside to her garden and gazed at the stars or read a book on her chair, I wanted to be there right along side of her.

Darcy's summer crew, minus Boyz's family, were all very interesting in Secrets in Summer. Mimi, the elderly woman next door, stole my heart and Susan, the overworked and under appreciated mother of three boys was also an interesting character that was renting the house a few doors down.  I liked how the women, although different ages and from various different backgrounds, all sort of banded together for the summer. Lastly, the character of Nash was one of my favorites and Darcy's romance with him was also well done. I truly didn't understand why she didn't fully commit to him sooner; he's perfect!

Secrets in Summer is a breezy, fluffy beach read and I say that as a compliment. It would be the perfect way to spend the afternoon or the ideal book to throw in your beach bag this summer. One thing is for sure, Nancy Thayer really knows Nantucket and you can count on her for an enjoyable beach read.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Daughters of Ireland

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.  "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly anticipating.

The Daughters of Ireland by Santa Montefiore

Pub. Date: August 15, 2017

Goodreads says, "Ireland. 1925.  The war is over. But life will never be the same... In the green hills of West Cork, Ireland, Castle Deverill has burned to the ground. But young Celia Deverill is determined to see her ruined ancestral home restored to its former glory — to the years when Celia ran through its vast halls with her cousin Kitty and their childhood friend Bridie Doyle. Kitty herself is raising a young family, but she longs for Jack O’Leary — the long-ago sweetheart she cannot have. And soon Kitty must make a heartbreaking decision, one that could destroy everything she holds dear. Bridie, once a cook's daugher in Castle Deverill, is now a well-heeled New York City socialite. Yet her celebrity can't erase a past act that haunts her still. Nor can it keep her from seeking revenge upon the woman who wronged her all those years ago.  As these three daughters of Ireland seek to make their way in a world once again beset by dark forces, Santa Montefiore shows us once more why she is one of the best-loved storytellers at work today."

I absolutely fell in love with The Girl in the Castle when I read it last year and this is the sequel. If you love historical fiction, definitely give this series a try. I definitely think it's underrated! Also, I am in love with this cover! What do you guys think? 

Giveaway: Becoming Bonnie

I have such a fun giveaway to share with you guys today.  Today is the anniversary of Bonnie and Clyde's last deadly shootout and in honor of this, Forge and I have partnered up to give away a copy of Becoming Bonnie by Jenni L. Walsh.

Becoming Bonnie just came out earlier this month and I've had my eye on it. I am curious to find out how Bonnie, once a wholesome girl, turned into the infamous Bonnie who we are all familiar with.  Plus, I just read that Becoming Bonnie has already been optioned for television by Edyson Entertainment. To learn more about Becoming Bonnie, check out the information below.

About the Book:

"The summer of 1927 might be the height of the Roaring Twenties, but Bonnelyn Parker is more likely to belt out a church hymn than sling drinks at an illicit juice joint. She’s a sharp girl with plans to overcome her family's poverty, provide for herself, and maybe someday marry her boyfriend, Roy Thornton. But when Roy springs a proposal on her and financial woes jeopardize her ambitions, Bonnelyn finds salvation in an unlikely place: Dallas's newest speakeasy, Doc's.  Living the life of a moll at night, Bonnie remains a wholesome girl by day, engaged to Roy, attending school and working toward a steady future. When Roy discovers her secret life, and embraces it—perhaps too much, especially when it comes to booze and gambling—Bonnie tries to make the pieces fit. Maybe she can have it all: the American Dream, the husband, and the intoxicating allure of jazz music. What she doesn't know is that her life—like her country—is headed for a crash.  She’s about to meet Clyde Barrow.  Few details are known about Bonnie's life prior to meeting her infamous partner. In Becoming Bonnie, Jenni L. Walsh shows a young woman promised the American dream and given the Great Depression, and offers a compelling account of why she fell so hard for a convicted felon—and turned to crime herself."

About the Author:

Jenni L. Walsh as spent the past decade enticing readers as an award-winning advertising copywriter. Her passion lies in transporting readers to another world, be it in historical or contemporary settings. She is a proud graduate of Villanova University, and lives in the Philly 'burbs with her husband, daughter, son, and goldendoodle. You can visit her online at http://www.jennilwalsh.com/ or on Twitter under the handle @jennilwalsh.

Thanks to Forge, I am giving away a copy of Becoming Bonnie by Jenni L. Walsh to one US reader.  Please refer to my giveaway rules and the deadline is May 30th.  Good luck!

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Spotlight: The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

You guys know I am a huge Sarah Dessen fan and I am part of the #ReadADessen campaign that features all of her novels until the release of Once and For All, which is due out next month.  I am so excited, because it isn't summer unless I am reading a Sarah Dessen novel.

This week we are talking about The Moon and More, which I thoroughly enjoyed when I read it a few years ago. And how gorgeous is the new cover?

Goodreads says, "The perfect life?  At first glance, Emaline seems to have it all. A great boyfriend, a close-knot family, an idyllic beach town to call home. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough. Then she meets Theo, an ambitious young New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. He's sophisticated and exciting, and thinks Emaline is destined for bigger things. Emaline wants the moon and more, but can she balance where she comes from with where she's going?"

Here are my top five reasons why you should read The Moon and More this summer: 

1) Characters - Dessen writes such memorable characters and I loved the character of not only Emaline, but also her best friends Daisy and Morris.  Somehow Dessen creates secondary characters that are just as memorable as the main character.  

2) Relationships - Yes, most of Dessen's "summer reads" focus on that one important summer and that one special love, but this book has so much more than that. Emaline's rocky relationship with her father is important in this novel as well as her younger brother.  But more importantly, The Moon and More is all about Emaline's relationship with herself before she goes off to college.

3) Colby - I want to move here. No seriously. Colby is Dessen's fictional southern beach town which is the setting of many of her novels. Coming back here is like revisiting an old friend. For the Dessen fan, this is always so much fun, especially when you catch cameos from her other beloved characters. 

4) Heart - The reason why I adore Dessen's novels so much is not only are the perfect for the beach thanks to the setting of Colby and the common theme of that one special summer, but they always, always have heart. They are beach reads with heart.  They are smart, the characters are memorable, and the plot is always engaging.  They aren't fluffy beach reads; they are so, so much more.

5)  That Summer - You know the summer I am talking about. That one special summer that sort of changed things for you. A coming-of-age, if you will.  Dessen does this so very well and in The Moon and More.  For Emaline it's the transition from high school to college, which is an important time in an adolescent's life.  Dessen captures this perfectly and how Emaline's most important relationship is, after all, with herself. She needs to understand herself and what she wants for the future.

So, if my five reasons why you should read The Moon and More this summer didn't entice you to pick up a copy, check out my full review here. I think you'll be sold!

Are you new to Sarah Dessen or a long-time fan? What's your favorite Dessen? Do you plan on reading any this summer? Let me know in the comments below. 

Sunday Post and Giveaway Winners (31)

If You Love Southern Beach Reads

Book Review: The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord

Waiting on Wednesday: That Inevitable Victorian Thing

Book Review: The Book of Summer by Michelle Gable

I am contining with the #ReadaDessen campaign and sharing my thoughts on The Moon and More. Even though I already read and reviewed this book a few years ago, I am revisiting why we should read it again! It's the perfect summer read!

 I will also be sharing a fun giveaway involving Bonnie and Clyde and my thoughts on Nancy Thayer's Secrets in Summer. Thayer's books always make for delightful beach reads and I especially love the Nantucket setting.

   

Little Excavator by Anna Dewdney - Thanks to Penguin Random House
No Good Deed by Kara Connolly - Thanks to Delacorte

Into the Water by Paula Hawkins

And the winner of Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen goes to..... 

Carrie

Congrats! I hope you enjoy the book!

Have you read any of these books? Are they on your TBR list? Let me know your thoughts. Thanks for visiting. This meme is hosted by Kimberly at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

If You Love Southern Beach Reads

Guys, it is officially beach read season!  Some of my favorite beach reads have Southern settings. The beaches, the sunshine, the palm trees, the small town...what more could you want? Not only is the South home to many gorgeous beaches, it's also home to two of my favorite destinations: Savannah and Key West.

If you are looking to armchair travel to the sunny South this summer or you want a Southern beach read to bring with you to the pool or on vacation, look no further. Here are my some of my favorite beach reads with Southern settings.

Adult Fiction:

Hemingway's Girl by Erika Robuck  (Key West, Florida)

Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey (Georgia)

The Night the Lights Went Out by Karen White (Georgia)

The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews - (North Carolina)

The Last Original Wife by Dorothea Benton Frank (Charleston, South Carolina)

All Summer Long by Dorothea Benton Frank (Charleston, South Carolina)

Under a Dark Summer Sky by Vanessa LaFaye (Key West, Florida)

YA Fiction:

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen (Colby, North Carolina)

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen (Colby, North Carolina)

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm (Key West, Florida)

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (Cousins Beach - Fictional Southern beach town)

Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols (Alabama)

Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton (Georgia)

Southern Beach Reads on my TBR List: 

Coming Out This Summer:

Beach House for Rent by Mary Alice Monroe (Isle of Palms, South Carolina)

Same Beach, Next Year by Dorothea Benton Frank (South Carolina)

Cocoa Beach by Beatriz Williams (Cocoa Beach, Florida)

Backlist Southern Beach Reads:

Summer at Hideaway Key by Barbara Davis (Gulf Coast of Florida)

Flight Patterns by Karen White  (Florida coast)

The Sound of Glass by Karen White (Beaufort, South Carolina)

Sea Change by Karen White (St. Simons Island, Georgia)

Lies and Other Acts of Love by Kristy Woodsen Harvey (North Carolina)

The Summer Girls by Mary Alice Monroe (Sullivan's Island, South Carolina)
Spring Fever by Mary Kay Andrews (North Carolina)

What are some of your favorite Southern beach reads? Which ones are on your TBR list? Do you have any recommendations for me? Let me know in the comments below.  

Book Review: The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord

Pages: 400

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: May 16, 2017

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: Open Road Summer,

The Start of Me and You, When We Collided

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Lucy Hansson was ready for a perfect summer with her boyfriend, working at her childhood Bible camp on the lake. But when her mom’s cancer reappears, Lucy falters—in faith, in love, and in her ability to cope. When her boyfriend “pauses” their relationship and her summer job switches to a different camp—one for troubled kids—Lucy isn’t sure how much more she can handle. Attempting to accept a new normal, Lucy slowly regains footing among her vibrant, diverse coworkers, Sundays with her mom, and a crush on a fellow counselor. But when long-hidden family secrets emerge, can Lucy set aside her problems and discover what grace really means?"

Lucy is pretty much the perfect girl. She's a high school junior who does well in school, she is on the swim team, her boyfriend is a perfect gentleman, and she gets along very well with her parents.  Her dad is a pastor and Lucy just assumed she would be spending another summer working at Bible camp, which is something she actually looks forward to doing.  But Lucy's world is turned upside down when her mother's cancer reappears.  Her mother encourages Lucy to take a job at another camp that that her friend runs. It isn't a Bible camp; it is for kids that are dealing with tough times and Lucy's mom thinks she could really help the children.  Lucy doesn't necessarily want to do this, but if her mom is asking her, she tries her best.  To top it off, her seemingly perfect boyfriend wants to take a break from their relationship, so this is really going to be a different sort of summer for Lucy.  While at camp, she meets new people, she is forced out of her comfort zone more often than not, and even learns some long kept family secrets.  Emery Lord's The Names They Gave Us is a moving YA story that will definitely tug on my people's heartstrings.

Even though I really couldn't relate to Lucy in The Names They Gave Us, I appreciated her story, which is always the mark of a great author.  Lucy is very religious and starts questioning her faith once her mother's cancer returns. I could appreciate this part of the novel as there always comes a point in most people's lives when this happens.  Although Lucy is one of the most religious characters I've encountered in years, Lord doesn't write her as being overly preachy or annoying.  She is frustratingly naive, but endearing.  When Lucy's mom requests she goes to Daybreak, I knew that Lucy's world was going to open up tremendously and I was happy for her to be out of her comfort zone.

Summer camp is the best setting for a character who is pretty sheltered. Lucy gets the opportunity to meet people who are different than herself and expand her horizons. It truly is Lucy's coming-of-age story and I loved this aspect of The Names They Gave Us.  Lucy even starts a romance while at camp, but that is definitely not the focus of the story.

While at camp, Lucy unearths a major family secret and while I found this compelling, I thought it was a bit rushed.  I sort of wanted Lucy to explore this a bit more, but since it was towards the end of the novel, we really didn't have much of a chance to even process it greatly.  

Nonetheless, The Names They Gave Us definitely tugged on my heartstrings. I didn't enjoy it as much as Lord's other novels that included a swoon-y romance, fantastic dialogue and friendships, or a great road trip, but I think many young adults may connect with Lucy's story and that is what's most important.